Subjective discriminability of invisibility: A framework for distinguishing perceptual and attentional failures of awareness

摘要: Conscious visual perception can fail in many circumstances. However, little is known about the causes and processes leading to failures of awareness. In this study, we introduce a new signal detection measure termed subjective discriminability invisibility (SDI) that allows one distinguish between blindness due reduction sensory signals or lack attentional access signals. The SDI computed based upon confidence reporting absence target (i.e., miss correct rejection trials). Using measure, found misses were subjectively indistinguishable from physical when contrast reduction, backward masking flash suppression used, whereas was appropriately modulated dual task, blink spatial uncertainty methods employed. These results show failure be identified as either result perceptual depending on circumstances under which awareness impaired.