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How to Create and Use Binocular Rivalry
Published on: November 10, 2010
Attentional modulation of binocular rivalry.
Chris L E Paffen1, David Alais
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute Utrecht, Utrecht University Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|November 3, 2011
Summary
Attentional control over binocular rivalry is limited but possible. Attention influences which image is perceived, but neural adaptation prevents complete voluntary control over visual perception during rivalry.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Binocular rivalry, the phenomenon where dissimilar images presented to each eye compete for perception, has long been debated regarding attentional control.
- Recent research has revived interest in how attention modulates binocular rivalry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review classical and recent studies on attentional modulation of binocular rivalry.
- To elucidate the mechanisms and limitations of attentional control over perceptual dominance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on binocular rivalry and attention.
- Theoretical analysis of attentional effects on visual processing and neural adaptation.
Main Results:
- Voluntary control over binocular rivalry is possible but limited.
- Both endogenous and exogenous attention influence perceptual dominance.
- Attention diverts from rival displays do not stop alternations; rival targets attract attention.
- Attention modulates effective contrast, while neural adaptation attenuates responses.
Conclusions:
- Attention influences binocular rivalry by modulating contrast and is counteracted by neural adaptation.
- While overlapping brain areas exist, early visual cortex mechanisms can drive rivalry independently of higher-level selection.
- Reciprocal self-balancing processes limit complete attentional control over binocular rivalry.
