The relationship between the objective identification threshold and priming effects does not provide a definitive boundary between conscious and unconscious perceptual processes

► Nonlinear priming effects may provide qualitative evidence of unconscious perception. ► Masked primes were presented above and below the objective identification threshold. ► Nonlinear priming effects were obtained. ► Priming effects were smallest above the objective identification threshold. ► A key prediction of the Objective Threshold/Strategic Model was not supported.