Summation versus suppression in metacontrast masking: On the potential pitfalls of using metacontrast masking to assess perceptual–motor dissociation

摘要: A briefly flashed target stimulus can become “invisible” when immediately followed by a mask—a phenomenon known as backward masking, which constitutes major tool in the cognitive sciences. One form of masking is termed metacontrast masking. It generally assumed that mask suppresses activity on conscious perception relies. This assumption biases conclusions used tool—for example, to study independence between perceptual detection and motor reaction. because other models account for reduced performance without requiring suppression mechanisms. In this study, we signal theory test model against an alternative view referred summation model. claims target- mask-related activations fuse difficulty detecting results from discriminate fused response produced alone. Our data support view. not thorough investigation Instead, wanted point out different there no need postulate dissociation responses data. Metacontrast implemented Fehrer–Raab situation, therefore valid method assess perceptual–motor dissociations.