Visual Confusion Matrices: Fact or Artifact?

Abstract

Abstract : Perceptual confusion matrices were generated with the use of tachistoscopic exposure of upper case letters of the English alphabet at each of two exposure durations. The resulting matrices were compared with those generated by Hodge and Pew and Gardner. Little correspondence was noted between the pattern of confusions obtained in each study. Thus, there was no evidence for the common assumption that a basic 'pattern of confusions' exists between letters of the alphabet. Implications for studies of short-term memory were discussed.