| Abstract: | A sequential blanking paradigm was used to determine the effects of more intense, later appearing, stimuli upon the visual evoked potential (VEP) to earlier appearing stimuli. In sequential blanking the presentation of a sequence of visual stimuli at certain rates, and in certain orders, results in the perceptual blanking of approximately one-half of the stimuli. The precise timing and location requirements for this effect are conveniently produced with a digital computer and associated cathode ray tube display. Further evidence was found for the inhibiting effect of later occurring (more intense) stimuli on the VEP response to earlier occurring (less intense) stimuli. This effect revealed itself in the delayed appearance of the major components of the VEP. In addition, it was found that the amount of delay was related to the ratio of the intensity difference between the earlier (blanked) and later occurring (blanking) stimuli, i.e., the greater the intensity difference between them the greater the temporal displacement produced in the VEP components. |
