Tachistoscope

Tachistoscope

A tachistoscope is a device that displays (usually by projecting) an image for a specific amount of time. It can be used to increase recognition speed, to show something too fast to be consciously recognized, or to test which elements of an image are memorable. Actual tachistoscopes use a slide or transparency projector equipped with the mechanical shutter system typical of a camera. The slide is loaded, the shutter locked open, and focusing and aligment are adjusted, then the shutter is closed. When ready for the test, a shutter speed is selected, and the shutter is tripped normally.

The first tachistoscope was originally described by the German physiologist A.W. Volkmann in 1859. It was also used during World War II in the training of fighter pilots to help them identify aircraft silhouettes as friend or foe.

Before computers became ubiquitous, tachistoscopes were used extensively in psychological research to present visual stimuli for controlled durations. Some experiments employed pairs of tachistoscopes so that an experimental participant could be given different stimulation in each visual field.

Tachistoscopes continue to be used in market research, where they are typically used to compare the visual impact, or memorability of marketing materials or packaging designs. Tachistoscopes used for this purpose are typically still based around slide projectors rather than computer monitors, due to (1) the increased fidelity of the image which can be displayed in this way and (2) the opportunity to show large or life-size images.

ee also

* MemorizeIt - Software which includes a working Tachistoscope.

External links

* [http://www.sykronix.com/researching/tscope.htm How to Build and Use a Tachistoscope]
* [http://sandfly.net.nz/apps/wordup/ WordUp, a java-based tachistoscope]
* [http://www.buonaidea.it/servizi_tachistoscopio.aspx Freeware: online Tachistoscope]
* [http://www.slu.edu/colleges/AS/languages/classical/ram/ram.html Freeware: Reading Acceleration Machine, for Windows]
* [http://followtheheard.blogspot.com/2008/05/swiftword-application.html Swiftword, a windows-based tachistoscope]
* [http://www.nathaniyer.com/ Flashmeter, a Tachistoscope program]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tachistoscope — [ takistɔskɔp ] n. m. • 1945; de tach(eo) , gr. istos « le plus » et scope ♦ Techn. Appareil de projection pour l exposition d images lumineuses à différentes vitesses, utilisé pour l entraînement à la lecture rapide et pour des recherches… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Tachistoscope — Ta*chis to*scope, n. [Gr. ta chistos, superl. of tachy s swift + scope.] (Physiol.) An apparatus for exposing briefly to view a screen bearing letters or figures. It is used in studying the range of attention, or the power of distinguishing… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tachistoscope — [tə kis′tə skōp΄] n. [< Gr tachistos, superl. of tachys, swift (see TACHY ) + SCOPE] an apparatus that exposes words, pictures, etc. for a measured fraction of a second, used to increase reading speed or to test memory, perception, etc.… …   English World dictionary

  • tachistoscope — A projection device used in studies of visual perception and memory. In advertising and marketing research it is used to measure the extent to which the features of an advertisement or brand are registered by consumers. The tachistoscope shows a… …   Big dictionary of business and management

  • Tachistoscope — Un Tachistoscope est un appareil permettant la présentation ultra rapide (de l ordre de la miliseconde) d un stimulus à un seul hémichamp visuel à la fois. Cet équipement permet de contrôler finement les paramètres de la présentation visuelle des …   Wikipédia en Français

  • tachistoscope — noun Etymology: Greek tachistos (superlative of tachys swift) + International Scientific Vocabulary scope Date: circa 1890 an apparatus for the brief exposure of visual stimuli that is used in the study of learning, attention, and perception •… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tachistoscope — tachistoscopic /teuh kis teuh skop ik/, adj. /teuh kis teuh skohp /, n. Psychol. an apparatus for use in exposing visual stimuli, as pictures, letters, or words, for an extremely brief period, used chiefly to assess visual perception or to… …   Universalium

  • tachistoscope — noun a device that displays a series of brief images; used by psychologists to investigate perception, memory and learning …   Wiktionary

  • tachistoscope — An instrument to determine the shortest time an object must be exposed in order to be perceived. [G. tachistos, very rapid, fr. tachys, rapid, + skopeo, to view] * * * ta·chis·to·scope tə kis tə .skōp , ta n an apparatus for the brief exposure of …   Medical dictionary

  • tachistoscope — instrument for rapidly showing images on a screen to test perception Scientific Instruments …   Phrontistery dictionary

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