Object Substitution Masking

OSM (object substitution masking) refers to a phenomenon in which the identification of a central target is impaired when it is surrounded by sparse dots (the mask) that remain visible after the target disappears. Interestingly, under certain conditions, the visibility of the target can recover when the mask remains for longer durations. Building on prior work demonstrating that the relationship between the target and the mask affects both masking and recovery, we are extending this research to examine how different features of the target and mask interact. This work contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying visual masking and how task-relevant features influence object perception.

Relevant Presentations

(* indicates undergraduate collaborator)

Gjonbalaj*, M., Panikhina*, K., & Hutcheon, T. G. (2025, October). Task Relevance of Features Modulates Object Substitution Masking. Poster presented at the Bard Summer Research Institute Poster Session. Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

Hutcheon, T. G. (2025, October). The flexibility of object-substitution masking in the visual  system. Talk presented as part of the Bard College Psychology Program Colloquium Series. Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.