Discrimination of complex patterns: orientation information is integrated across spatial scale; spatial-frequency and contrast information are not.

Real-world objects are complex, containing information at multiple orientations and spatial scales. It is well established that at initial cortical stages of processing, local information about an image is separately represented at multiple spatial scales. However, it is not yet established how these early representations are later integrated across scale to signal useful information about complex stimulus features, such as edges and textures. In the studies reported here, we investigate the scale-integration processes involved in distinguishing among complex patterns. We use a concurrent-response paradigm in which observers simultaneously judge two components of compound gratings that differ widely in spatial frequency. In different experiments, each component takes one of two slightly different values along the dimensions of spatial frequency, contrast, or orientation. Using analyses developed within the framework of a multivariate extension of signal-detection theory, we ask how information about the frequency, contrast, or orientation of the components is or is not integrated across the two grating components. Our techniques permit us to isolate and identify interactions due to excitatory or inhibitory processes from effects due to noise, and to separately assess any attentional limitations that might occur in processing. Results indicate that orientation information is fully integrated across spatial scales within a limited orientation band and that decisions are based entirely on the summed information. Information about spatial frequency and contrast is not summed over spatial scale; cross-scale results show sensory independence. However, our results suggest that observers cannot simultaneously use information about frequency or contrast when it is presented at different spatial scales. Our results provide direct evidence for the existence of a higher-level summing circuit tailored to signal information about orientation. The properties of this mechanism differ substantially from edge-detector mechanisms proposed by Marr and others.