Discrimination thresholds in the two-dimensional spatial frequency domain.

In two experiments we have determined the discriminability between two sinusoidal gratings as a function of orientation and spatial frequency differences. Twelve orientation (15 degrees steps) and four spatial frequencies (2, 4, 8, 12 c/deg) were considered and corresponding discrimination thresholds were determined. Results indicated that: (a) spatial frequency discrimination thresholds did not significantly vary over all frequency and orientation positions, and averaged at +/- 1/8 octave limits. (b) Orientation thresholds only slightly increased with spatial frequency (from +/- 5 degrees at 2 c/deg to +/- 6 degrees at 12 c/deg). (c) A large and consistent anisotropy occurred with orientation thresholds showing most sensitivity in the horizontal and vertical directions, with largest thresholds at the oblique angles. No oblique effect was observed with spatial frequency thresholds. These results confirm past observations, providing an extensive set of threshold measurements in the two-dimensional spatial domain.