The effect of visual orientation uncertainty in a simultaneous detection-recognition task

This study concerned the processing of the outputs of visual orientation-sensitive mechanisms by higher order mechanisms. Ss performed a simultaneous detection-recognition task. Variation in the number of possible orientations of a single straight line produced only slight, if any, changes in detection or recognition performance as compared with findings from similar auditory frequency experiments. It was concluded that the outputs of all orientation-sensitive mechanisms are examined by higher order mechanisms. As the angular separation of two possible orientations increased, the data showed that recognition improved in keeping with other reported findings. Comparison of detection with recognition indicated that the latter, under certain conditions, was superior to the former.