Feature similarity and laterality effects in visual masking.

Observers attempted to recognize single letters presented to the left or right visual field when preceded or followed by a masking stimulus. When the masking stimulus contained features identical to those of the target letter, there was a left visual field (right hemisphere) advantage for target recognition. When the target and mask contained extremely different features, the opposite visual field advantage was obtained. Implications are discussed for models of hemispheric asymmetry and for interpreting visual laterality studies that use masks to reduce the overall level of performance.