Construct · 1 fields · 1 citations

vernier: a standalone construct

One name. One construct. A landmark on the map.

● anchor · a standalone construct Nearest construct by meaning·not indexed
vernier1 CONSTRUCTVernier acuityWESTHEIMER · HYPERACUITY

A single standalone construct; nearby constructs are located against it in the Collider. Tap a field for its definition, unit, and measures.

Vision science

Seeing an offset finer than a single receptor

In vision science vernier acuity is the ability to detect a small sideways offset between two abutting line segments, with a threshold far finer than the spacing of the retinal photoreceptors, which is why it is classed as a hyperacuity. Westheimer and McKee's work on spatial configurations for visual hyperacuity mapped how the threshold depends on line length, separation, and nearby features. The construct takes its name from the vernier scale it visually resembles, but the referent is a positional-discrimination threshold of the visual system, not a measuring instrument.[1]

Unit
The smallest detectable lateral offset, in arc seconds
Recovery means
Not applicable
Measured by
Measured as the offset-discrimination threshold in forced-choice alignment tasks

Next

Run it through the Collider, or take the citations with you.

See how vernier sits against neighbouring constructs in the Collider, or export every reference on this page in one click.

Open in ColliderExport BibTeXReport this entry

Nearby constructs

attitude6 fields · 12 citationsjingle · one name, six constructsborrow1 fields · 1 citationsanchor · a standalone constructconstruct6 fields · 7 citationsjingle · one name, six constructs

References

  1. Westheimer, G., & McKee, S. P. (1977). Spatial configurations for visual hyperacuity. Vision Research, 17(8), 941–947. https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6989(77)90069-4

Cited on this page?

Confirm your construct, or correct us.

If your work is cited behind one of these entries, you know better than we do whether we captured the meaning right. Confirm it, suggest an edit, or dispute it, and your name goes on the entry as an author who has checked it, linked to your ORCID.

Claim your construct