Wilson S Geisler III
Professor — PhD, Indiana University
Professor, Director of Center for Perceptual Systems

Contact
- E-mail: w.geisler@utexas.edu
- Phone: 471-5380
- Office: SEA 4.328
- Campus Mail Code: A8000
Biography
Geisler's research interests span a number of topics in vision and visual perception. In the lab, scientific questions are often attacked with multiple techniques: psychophysics (behavior), neurophysiology (in collaboration with Eyal Seidemann), and mathematical and computational modeling. Current projects are concerned with perceptual grouping and interpolation, depth estimation, visual search, natural scene statistics, and the neurophysiology of primary visual cortex. Geisler is a professor in the Department of Psychology, director of the Center for Perceptual Systems, and holder of the David Wechsler Regents Chair in Psychology.
Courses
PSY 323 • Perception
41940 • Spring 2020
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM BUR 116
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
41885 • Fall 2019
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 323 • Perception
42510 • Spring 2019
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM BUR 116
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43075 • Fall 2018
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 323 • Perception
42705 • Spring 2018
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM WAG 201
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43405 • Fall 2017
Meets W 2:00PM-5:00PM SEA 4.242
PSY 323 • Perception
43205 • Spring 2017
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM NOA 1.124
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43420 • Fall 2016
Meets W 2:00PM-5:00PM SEA 4.242
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
42560 • Fall 2015
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.242
PSY 323 • Perception
42620 • Spring 2015
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM NOA 1.124
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43985 • Fall 2014
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 323 • Perception
43990 • Spring 2014
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM PHR 2.110
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
44020 • Fall 2013
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 323 • Perception
43335 • Spring 2013
Meets TTH 2:00PM-3:30PM NOA 1.124
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43555 • Fall 2012
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 323 • Perception
43195 • Spring 2012
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM NOA 1.124
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43450 • Fall 2011
Meets W 11:00AM-2:00PM SEA 4.324
NEU 380E • Vision Systems
56760 • Spring 2011
Meets TTH 3:30PM-5:00PM SEA 2.224
(also listed as PSY 380E)
PSY 323 • Perception
43700 • Spring 2011
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM NOA 1.124
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
43405 • Fall 2010
Meets T 3:30PM-6:30PM SEA 4.324
NEU 380E • Vision Systems
57515 • Spring 2010
Meets TTH 3:30PM-5:00PM SEA 2.224
(also listed as PSY 380E)
PSY 323 • Perception
43855 • Spring 2010
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM NOA 1.124
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Perceptual Sys
44362 • Fall 2009
Meets T 3:30PM-6:30PM SEA 4.324
NEU 380E • Vision Systems
57570 • Spring 2009
Meets TTH 3:30PM-5:00PM SEA 2.224
(also listed as PSY 380E)
PSY 323P • Percep Sys: Neurons/Behav/Evol
43100 • Spring 2009
Meets TTH 9:30AM-11:00AM SEA 3.250
PSY 394U • Adv Tpcs In Cognitn & Perceptn
44448 • Fall 2008
Meets F 12:00PM-3:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 394U • Natural Scene Stats & Perceptn
43950 • Spring 2007
Meets F 1:00PM-4:00PM SEA 4.242
PSY 323 • Perception
42955 • Spring 2006
Meets TTH 11:00AM-12:30PM NOA 1.124
PSY 341K • Fundamentals Of Perception
41525 • Spring 2005
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM SEA 2.108
PSY 394U • Topics In Visual Perception
41790 • Spring 2005
Meets F 12:00PM-3:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 394U • Smnr In Cognition And Perceptn
40265 • Spring 2004
Meets F 12:00PM-3:00PM SEA 4.324
PSY 341K • Fundamentals Of Perception
40285 • Spring 2003
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM SEA 2.108
PSY 394U • Topics In Vision And Hearing
40190 • Spring 2001
Meets F 12:00PM-3:00PM BAT 106
PSY 394U • Topics In Vision And Hearing
39580 • Spring 2000
Meets F 12:00PM-3:00PM BEN 422
Publications
Michel MM, Chen Y, Seidemann E & Geisler WS (2018) Nonlinear lateral interactions in V1 population responses explained by a contrast gain control model, Journal of Neuroscience , 38(47), 10069-10079. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0246-18.2018.
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Benvenuti G, Chen Y, Geisler WS, Seidemann E (2018) Scale-invariant visual capabilities explained by topographic representations of luminance and texture in primate V1, Neuron, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.neuron.2018.10.020.
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Sammonds JM, Geisler WS & Priebe NJ (2018) Natural image and receptive field statistics predict saccade sizes, Nature Neuroscience, 21, 1591-1599.
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Seidemann E & Geisler WS (2018) Linking V1 activity to behavior, Annual Review of Vision Science, 4:14.1–14.24. doi.org/10.1146/annurev-vision-102016-061324.
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McCann, B.C., Hayhoe, M.M. and Geisler, W.S. (2018) Contributions of monocular and binocular cues to distance discrimination in natural scenes. Journal of Vision, 18(4):12, 1-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1167/18.4.12
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Sebastian, S. & Geisler W.S. (2018) Decision-variable correlation. Journal of Vision, 18(4):3, 1-19. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1167/18.4.3
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Geisler, W.S. (2018) Psychometric functions of uncertain template matching observers. Journal of Vision, 18(2):1, 1-10.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1167/18.4.310.1167/18.2.1
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Sebastian, S., Abrams, J., & Geisler, W.S. (2017) Constrained sampling experiments reveal principles of detection in natural scenes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1619487114
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Burge, J., McCann, B.C. & Geisler, W.C. (2016) Estimating 3D tilt from local image cues in natural scenes. Journal of Vision, 16(13):2, 1-25.
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Seidemann, E., Chen, Y., Bai, Y., Chen, S.C., Mehta, P., Kajs, B.L., Geisler, W.S., Zemelman, B. V. (2016) Calcium imaging with genetically encoded indicators in behaving primates. eLife,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1167/18.4.310.7554/eLife.16178.001
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Burge, J. & Geisler, W.S. (2016) Optimal speed estimation in natural image movies predicts human performance. Nature Communications,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1167/18.4.310.1038/ncomms8900
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Paulun VC, Schutz AC, Michel MM, Geisler WS & Gegenfurtner K (2015) Visual search under scotopic lighting conditions. Vision Research, 113, 155–168.
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Sebastian, S., Burge, J., Geisler, W.S. (2015) Defocus blur discrimination in natural images with natural optics. Journal of Vision, 15(5):16, 1-17.
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Bradley, C., Abrams, J., Geisler, W.S. (2014) Retina-V1 model of detectability across the visual field. Journal of Vision, 14(12):22, 1-22.
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Geisler, W.S., Burge, J., Michel, M.M., D'Antona, A.D. (2014) Characterizing the Effects of Stimulus and Neural Variability on Perceptual Performance. In M.S. Gazzaniga, (Ed.) The Cognitive Neurosciences V. Cambridge: MIT Press.
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Morgenstern, Y., Geisler, W.S., Murray, R.F. (2014) Human vision is attuned to the diffuseness of natual light. Journal of Vision, 14(9):15, 1-18.
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Burge, J. & Geisler, W.S .(2014) Optimal disparity estimation in natural stereo images. Journal of Vision, 14(2):1, 1-18.
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D'Antona, A.D., Perry, J.S., Geisler, W.S. (2013) Humans make efficient use of natural image statistics when performing spatial interpolation. Journal of Vision, 13(14):11, 1-3.
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Michel, MM, Chen Y, Geisler WS, Seidemann E (2013) An illusion predicted by V1 population activity implicates cortical topography in shape perception. Nature Neuroscience, 16, 1477-1483.
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Burge, J. & Geisler, W.S. (2013) Simulation of mouse vision that appeared in a news feature by Monya Baker. Through the eyes of a mouse, Nature, 502, 156-158.
Image Link to feature
Burge, J. & Geisler, W.S. (2012) Optimal defocus estimates from individual images for autofocusing a digital camera. Proceedings of the SPIE, 8299, 82990: E1:E12, January: Burlingame, CA.
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Burge, J. & Geisler, W.S. (2011) Optimal defocus estimation in individual natural images. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108 (40): 16849-16854.
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Geisler, W.S. & Perry, J.S. (2011) Statistics for optimal point prediction in natural images. Journal of Vision, 11(12):14, 1-17.
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McCann, B., Hayhoe, M. & Geisler, W.S. (2011) Decoding natural signals from peripheral retina. Journal of Vision, 11(10):19, 1-11.
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Zhaoping, L., Geisler, W.S. & May, K.A. (2011) Human wavelength discrimination of monochromatic light explained by optimal wavelength decoding of light of unknown intensity. PLoS One, 6, e19248.
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Geisler, W.S. & Cormack, L.K. (2011) Models of overt attention. In S.P. Liversedge, I.D. Gilchrist & S. Everling (Ed.) Oxford Handbook of Eye Movements. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Michel, M.M. & Geisler, W.S. (2011) Intrinsic position uncertainty explains detection and localization performance in peripheral vision. Journal of Vision, 11(1):18, 1-18.
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Geisler, W.S. (2011) Contributions of ideal observer theory to vision research. Vision Research, 51, 771-781.
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Ing, A.D., Wilson, J.A. & Geisler, W.S. (2010) Region grouping in natural foliage images: Image statistics and human performance. Journal of Vision. 10(4):10, 1-19.
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Geisler, W.S., Najemnik, J. & Ing, A.D. (2009) Optimal stimulus encoders for natural tasks. Journal of Vision, 17, 1-16.
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Geisler, W.S., Perry, J.S. & Ringach, D. (2009) Natural Systems Analysis. Visual Neuroscience, 26, 1-3.
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Geisler, W.S. & Perry, J.S. (2009) Contour statistics in natural images: Grouping across occlusions. Visual Neuroscience, 26, 109-121.
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Michel, M.M. & Geisler, W.S. (2009) Gaze contingent displays: Analysis of saccadic plasticit in visual search. Society for Information Display Technical Digest. 40 (1),911-914.
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Najemnik, J. & Geisler, W.S. (2009) Simple summation rule for optimal fixation selection in visual search. Vision Research, 49, 1286-1294.
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Seidemann, E., Chen, Y. and Geisler, W.S. (2009) Encoding and decoding with neural populations in the primate cortex. In: M.S. Gazzaniga (Ed.) The Cognitive Neurosciences, 4th Edition. Cambridge: MIT Press, 419-434.
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Sit, Y.F., Chen, Y., Geisler, W.S., Miikkulainen, R. & Seidemann, E. (2009) Complex dynamics of V1 population responses explained by a simple gain-control model. Neuron, 64, 943-956.
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Geisler, W.S. (2008) Visual perception and the statistical properties of natural scenes. Annual Review of Psychology Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 167-192.
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Najemnik, J. & Geisler, W.S. (2008) Eye movement statistics in humans are consistent with an optimal search strategy. Journal of Vision Journal of Vision, 8, 1-14.
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Chen, Y., Geisler, W.S. & Seidemann, E. (2008) Optimal temporal decoding of neural population responses in a reaction-time detection task. Journal of Neurophysiology, 99,1366-1379.
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Tversky, T. & Geisler, W.S. (2007) Optimal sensor design for estimating local velocity in natural environments. In: B. Rogowitz and T. Pappas (Eds.), Human Vision and Electronic Imaging. SPIE Proceedings, Vol 6492, 649205.
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Frazor, R. & Geisler, W.S. (2006) Local luminance and contrast in natural images. Vision Research, 46, 1585-1598.
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Geisler, W.S., Perry, J.S. & Najemnik, J. (2006) Visual search: The role of peripheral information measured using gaze-contingent displays.. Journal of Vision J6, 858-873.
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Chen, Y., Geisler, W.S. & Seidemann, E. (2006) Optimal decoding of correlated neural population responses in the primate cortex.. Nature Neuroscience, 9 (11) 1412-1420.
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Raj R., Geisler W.S., Frazor R. & Bovik, A. (2005) Contrast statistics for foveated visual systems: Fixation selection by minimizing contrast entropy. Journal of the Optical Society of America A., 22 (10) 2039-2049.
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Frazor R., Albrecht D., Geisler WS. & Crane A. (2004) Visual cortex neurons of monkeys and cats: Temporal dynamics of the spatial frequency response function. Journal of Neurophysiology, 91, 2607-2627.
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Tversk, T., Geisler W.S. & Perry J.S. (2004) Contour grouping: Closure effects are explained by good continuation and proximity. Vision Research, 44, 2769-2777.
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Geisler W.S. & Diehl R.L. (2003) A Bayesian approach to the evolution of perceptual and cognitive systems.. Cognitive Science, 27, 379-402.
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Geisler W. S. (2003) Ideal Observer analysis. In: L. Chalupa and J. Werner (Eds.), The Visual Neurosciences. Boston: MIT press, 825-837.
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Albrecht D., Geisler W.S. & Crane A. (2003) Nonlinear properties of visual cortex neurons: Temporal dynamics, stimulus selectivity, neural performance. In: L Chalupa and J. Werner (Eds.), The Visual Neurosciences. Boston: MIT Press, 747-764.
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Geisler W.S. & Murray R.M. (2003) Practice doesn't make perfect. Nature, 423, 696-697.
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Geisler W.S. & Diehl R.L. (2002) Bayesian natural selection and the evolution of perceptual systems.. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London B, 357, 419-448.
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Geisler W.S. & Perry J.S. (2002) Real-time simulation of arbitrary visual fields.. Proceedings of the Eye Tracking Research & Applications Symposium (ACM) 83-87.
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Perry J.S. & Geisler W.S. (2002) Gaze-contingent real-time simulation of arbitrary visual fields. Human Vision and Electronic Imaging VII, SPIE Proceeding.
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Albrecht D., Geisler W.S., Frazor R. & Crane A. (2002) Visual cortex neurons of monkeys and cats: Temporal dynamics of the contrast response function.. Journal of Neurophysiology, 88: 889-913.
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Geisler W.S. & Kersten D. (2002) Illusions, perception and Bayes. Nature Neuroscience, 5, 508-510.
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Geisler, W.S. (2001) Edge co-occurrence in natural images predicts contour grouping performance. Vision Research, 41, 711-724.
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Geisler W.S. (2001) Motion direction signals in the primary visual cortex of cat and monkey.. Visual Neuroscience, 18, 501-516.
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Geisler W.S., Thornton T., Gallogly D.P. & Perry J. (2000) Image structure models of texture and contour visibility. Proceeding of the NATO Workshop on Search and Target Acquisition, The Netherlands, 21-23 June 1999. Abstract
Geisler W.S. and Albrecht D.G. (2000) Spatial vision: Single neurons and perception. Chapter for the Handbook of Cognition and Perception. New York: Academic Press.
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Heeger D., Huk A.C., Geisler W.S. & Albrecht D. (2000) Spikes vs. Bold: What does neuroimaging tell us about neural activity?. Nature Neuroscience, 3, 631-633.
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Geisler W.S. & Super B. (2000) Perceptual organization of two-dimensional patterns. Psychological Review, 107 (4) 677-708.
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Geisler W.S. & Perry J.S. (1999) Variable resolution displays for visual communications and simulation. Society for Information Display Technical Digest, 30, 420-423.
Geisler W.S. (1999) Motion streaks provide a spatial code for motion direction.. Nature, 400, 65-69.
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Geisler W.S. & Albrecht D.G. (1997) Visual cortex neurons in monkeys and cats: Detection, discrimination and identification.. Visual Neuroscience, 14, 897-919.
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Geisler, W. S. and Super, B. J. (1996) Perceptual organization of two-dimensional patterns. Technical Report: UT-CVIS-96-002, Austin, Texas: Center for Vision and Image Sciences. Abstract
Geisler W.S. & Banks M.S. (1995) Visual performance. In: Handbook of Optics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Geisler W.S. (1995) Discrimination information in natural radiance spectra. In: Vision Models for Target Detection and Recognition, Eli Peli ed., Information Display Series, World Scientific Publishing Co., Inc., 117-131.
Chou K.L. & Geisler W.S. (1995) Separation of low-level and high-level factors in complex tasks: Visual search. Psychological Review, 102, 356-378.
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Hahn L.W. & Geisler W.S. (1995) Adaptation mechanisms in spatial vision I: Bleaches and backgrounds.. Vision Research, 35, 1585-1594.
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Klarquist W.N., Geisle, W.S., & Bovik A.C. (1995) Maximum-likelihood depth-from-defocus for active vision..IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems.
Geisler W.S. & Albrecht D.G. (1995) Bayesian analysis of identification performance in monkey visual cortex: Nonlinear mechanisms and stimulus certainty. Vision Research, 35: 2723-2730.
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Kortum P.T. & Geisler W.S. (1995) Adaptation mechanisms in spatial vision II:
Flash thresholds and background adaptation. Vision Research, 35, 1595-1609.
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Geisler W.S. & Albrect, D.G. (1994) Visual cortex neurons in monkey and cat: Contrast response nonlinearities and stimulus selectivity. In: T. Lawton (Ed.), Computational Vision Based On Neurobiology, SPIE Proceedings 2054, 12-31.
Scharff L. & Geisler W.S. (1992) Stereopsis at isoluminance in the absence of chromatic aberrations.. Journal Of Optical Society of America, 9, 868-876.
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Geisler W.S. & Albrecht D.G. (1992) Cortical neurons: Isolation of contrast gain. Vision Research 32, 1409-1410.
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Davila K. & Geisler W.S. (1991) The relative contributions of pre-neural and neural factors to areal summation in the fovea.. Vision Research 31, 1369-1380.
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Geisler W.S., Albrecht D.G., Salvi R. & Saunders S.S. (1991) Discrimination performance of single neurons: rate and temporal-pattern information. Journal of Neurophysiology 66, 334-362.
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Albrecht D.G. & Geisler W.S. (1991) Motion selectivity and the contrast-response function of simple cells in the visual cortex. Visual Neuroscience 7, 531-546.
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Bovik A.C., Clark M. & Geisler W.S. (1990) Multichannel texture analysis using localized spatial filters.. Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence 12, 55-73.
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Jordan J.R., Geisler W.S. & Bovik A.C. (1990) Color as a source of information in the stereo correspondence process. Vision Research 30, 1955-1970.
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Geisler W.S. (1989) Ideal-observer theory in psychophysics and physiology. Physica Scripta 39, 153-160.
Geisler W.S. (1989) Sequential ideal-observer analysis of visual discrimination. Psychological Review 96, 267-314.
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Hamilton, D., Albrecht, D.G. & Geisler, W. (1989) Visual cortical receptive fields in monkey and cat: Spatial and temporal phase transfer function.. Vision Research 29, 1285-1308. PDF
Geisler W.S. (1987) Ideal-observer analysis of visual discrimination. National Academy Press, Washington.
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Geisler, W., Jordan, J. & Bovik, A.C. (1987) Chromaticity as a source of information in the human stereo correspondence process.. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.
Geisler, W., Clark, M. & Bovik, A.C. (1987) Experiments with a theory of visual texture segmentation using modulation/demodulation processes.. Proceedings of the IASTED International Symposium on Signal Processing and its Applications.
Geisler, W., Clark, M. & Bovik, A.C. (1987) Texture segmentation using a class of narrowband filters. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing.
Bank, M.S., Geisler W.S. & Bennett P. (1987) The physical limits of grating visibility. Vision Research 27, 1915-1924.
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Geisler, W. (1987) SDE software package. Vision Research 27, I.
Geisler, W. (1987) Texture segmentation using Gabor modulation/demodulation. Pattern Recognition Letters 6, 261-267.
Geisler, W., Bovik, A. & Clark, M. (1987) Computational texture analysis using localized spatial filtering. Proceedings of Workshop on Computer Vision, 201-206.
Geisler W.S. & Hamilton D. (1986) A sampling theory analysis of spatial vision. Journal Of Optical Society of America A 3, 62-70.
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Geisler W.S. & Davila K.D. (1985) Ideal discriminators in spatial vision: Two-point stimuli. Journal Of Optical Society of America A 2, 1483-1497.
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Geisler W.S. (1984) The physical limits of acuity and hyperacuity. Journal Of Optical Society of America A 1, 775-782.
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Geisler, W. (1983) A computational view of vision. Contemporary Psychology 28, 581-582.
Geisler W.S. (1983) Mechanisms of visual sensitivity: Backgrounds and early dark adaptation.. Vision Research 23, 1423-1432.
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Geisler W.S. (1981) Effects of bleaching and backgrounds on the flash response of the cone system. Journal of Physiology, London 312, 413-434.
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Geisler, W. (1981) Mechanisms of dark adaptation. In: W. Makous (Ed.), Relating Physiology to Psychophysics: Current Problems and Approaches. Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester.
Geisler, W. (1980) Increment-threshold and detection latency in the human rod and cone systems. Vision Research 20, 981-994.
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Geisler, W. & Edgell, S. (1980) A set-theoretical random utility model of choice behavior. Journal of Mathematical Psychology 21, 265-278.
Geisler W.S. (1980) Comments on the testing of two prominent dark-adaptation hypotheses. Vision Research 20, 807-811.
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Geisler W.S. (1979) Evidence for the equivalent-background hypothesis in cones. Vision Research 18, 799-805.
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Geisler W. S. (1979) Initial-image and afterimage discrimination in the human rod and cone systems. Journal of Physiology, London 294, 165-179.
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Geisler, W. (1978) Effects of photopigment depletion on brightness and threshold.. Vision Research 18, 269-278.
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Geisler, W. & Shiffrin, R.M. (1973) Visual recognition in a theory of information processing. In: R.L. Solso (Ed.), Contemporary Isues in Cognitive Psychology. The Loyola Symposium. Winston, Washington, D.C.
Geisler WS.., Edgell S. & Zinnes J. (1973) A note on a paper by Rumelhart and Greeno. Journal of Mathematical Psychology 10, 87-90.
Links
CPS Space Variant Imaging
Natural Scene Statistics
http://www.cps.utexas.edu/natural_scenes/