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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
How to Create and Use Binocular Rivalry
Published on: November 10, 2010
Binocular rivalry and head-worn displays
Robert Patterson1, Marc Winterbottom, Byron Pierce
1Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4820, USA. rpatter@mail.wsu.edu
Objective:
We provide a review and analysis of much of the published literature on binocular rivalry that is relevant to the design and use of head-worn displays (HWDs).
Background:
This review draws heavily from both the basic vision literature and applied HWD literature in order to help provide insight for minimizing the effects of binocular rivalry when HWDs are worn.
Method:
Included in this review are articles and books found cited in other works as well as articles and books obtained from an Internet search.
Results:
Issues discussed and summarized are (a) characteristics of binocular rivalry, (b) stimulus factors affecting rivalry, (c) cognitive variables affecting rivalry, and (d) tasks affected by rivalry.
Conclusion:
This paper offers a set of recommendations for minimizing the effects of binocular rivalry when HWDs are used as well as recommendations for future research.
Application:
Considerations of the basic vision literature on binocular rivalry will provide insight for future design solutions for HWDs.
