Multiple representations of the same reversible figure: implications for cognitive decisional interpretations

Observations are reported with the side-by-side presentation of rotating Necker cubes and other well-known reversible (ambiguous) figures. The fact that the two representations can be seen in the opposite direction of rotation, or perspective, at the same time is regarded as a serious difficulty for the cognitive or decisional interpretations of the spontaneous alternations in these figures. It is suggested that separate and fatiguable cortical 'channels' are a more likely basis for the dual-presentation effect than multiple decisional or attentional processes. The relationship between this proposal and recent research consistent with the visual system as a multichannel processor is noted.