Before revision:  Based on an analysis of contrast-equalized natural scenes, this theory predicts that textures involving two-point correlations will be most salient, and it further predicts the relative salienceamong second-order correlations of different types. We test our predictions by asking observers to locate a briefly-flashed texture strip in a background of white noise. The behavior of individual subjects is highly consistent: correlations beyond the second order are hard to distinguish from random noise, and detection thresholds within this salient second-order subspace are quantitatively predicted across 26 two-dimensional texture planes.
After revision:  Based on an analysis of contrast-equalized natural scenes, this theory predicts that textures involving two-point correlations will be most salient, and predicts their relative salience. We tested these predictions in a texture-segregation task using un-natural, synthetic textures. As predicted, correlations beyond second order are hard to distinguish from random noise, and detection thresholds within this salient second-order subspace are quantitatively predicted across 26 two-dimensional texture planes.