Seven models of masking

Seven types of masking are discussed: multi-component contrast gain control, one-component transducer saturation, two-component phase inhibition, multiplicative noise, high spatial frequency phase locked interference, stimulus uncertainty, and noise intrusion. In the present vision research community, multi-component contrast gain is gaining in popularity while the one- and two-component masking models are losing adherents. In this paper we take the presently unpopular stance and argue against multicomponent gain control models. We have a two-pronged approach. First, we discuss examples where high contrast maskers that overlap the test stimulus in both position and spatial frequency nevertheless produce little masking. Second, we show that alternatives to gain control are still viable, as long as uncertainty and noise intrusion effects are included. Finally, a classification is offered for different types of uncertainty effects that can produce large masking behavior.