Filling-in rivalry: Perceptual alternations in the absence of retinal image conflict

J Vis. 2017 Jan 1;17(1):8. doi: 10.1167/17.1.8.

Abstract

During perceptual rivalry, an observer's perceptual experience alternates over time despite constant sensory stimulation. Perceptual alternations are thought to be driven by conflicting or ambiguous retinal image features at a particular spatial location and modulated by global context from surrounding locations. However, rivalry can also occur between two illusory stimuli-such as two filled-in stimuli within the retinal blind spot. In this "filling-in rivalry," what observers perceive in the blind spot changes in the absence of local stimulation. It remains unclear if filling-in rivalry shares common mechanisms with other types of rivalry. We measured the dynamics of rivalry between filled-in percepts in the blind spot, finding a high degree of exclusivity (perceptual dominance of one filled-in percept, rather than a perception of transparency), alternation rates that were highly consistent for individual observers, and dynamics that closely resembled other forms of perceptual rivalry. The results suggest that mechanisms common to a wide range of rivalry situations need not rely on conflicting retinal image signals.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Photic Stimulation / methods*
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Vision, Binocular / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*
  • Young Adult