Perceptual Ambiguity and Stability of Reversible Figures

Abstract

In this work, the results of two experiments on ambiguous patterns are reported, which have been obtained by presenting a series of stimuli designed, in both cases, to reduce gradually the ambiguity of the patterns. Such reduction has been performed by respectively increasing or decreasing the amount of graphic details in the experiments. Data of both experiments show a lengthening of mean reversal time. The increase in the stability of one percept can be regarded as associated with the increasing difficulties encountered by an observer in organizing and restating the alternative “hypochesis” through the perceptual mechanisms. The loss of balance in the durations of percepts is discussed in terms of their different informational contents. Finally, in Exp. 1 an analysis is made to evaluate to what extent an addition of perceptual cues, designed to reinforce a three-dimensional interpretation of a pattern, can influence its figure-ground alternation.