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How to Create and Use Binocular Rivalry

How to Create and Use Binocular Rivalry

Published on: November 10, 2010

Relationship between frames of reference and mirror-image reversals.

Hirokazu Yoshimura¹, Tatsuo Tabata

¹Department of Psychology, Hosei University, 2-17-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8160, Japan. yosimura@hosei.ac.jp

|September 12, 2007

Summary

The perception of mirror images depends on the frame of reference used. Separate frames cause left-right reversal, while a common frame prevents it, clarifying the mirror puzzle.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive psychology
Visual perception
Philosophy of mind

Background:

The mirror puzzle describes the common perception of mirror images as being horizontally inverted.
Existing explanations often focus solely on the left-right reversal phenomenon.

Purpose of the Study:

To logically and parsimoniously clarify the physical aspects of an extended mirror image perception problem.
To explain both left-right reversed and non-reversed mirror image perceptions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of the role of intrinsic object-based frames of reference.
Analysis of the role of common frames of reference applied to object and image.
Logical deduction based on frame of reference principles.

Main Results:

Using separate frames of reference for an object and its mirror image consistently leads to perceived left-right reversal in asymmetric objects.
Employing a common frame of reference for both the object and its mirror image consistently results in the perception of non-reversal.

Conclusions:

The perception of mirror images is critically dependent on the chosen frame of reference.
Understanding the distinction between intrinsic and common frames of reference is key to solving the extended mirror puzzle.