Pupillographic Recording in Stereoscopically Induced Perceptual Conflict

Abstract

The present investigation describes a pupillographic method for recording the input/inhibition relationship in stereoscopically induced perceptual conflict between different objects. By means of an infrared technique for photographing the pupils it is shown which eye is inhibited and which eye is not at a specific moment of retinal rivalry. A series of such instantaneous tests of input/inhibition relationship were used to establish which of the two stereoscopical object fields had dominated perception during a 60-sec. interval. The test is based on the known fact that no pupillary reflex is found when an inhibited eye is stimulated by a flash during binocular rivalry. A possible use of the pupillographic method in research on so-called motivated perception is indicated.