The precedence of binocular fusion over binocular rivalry

Abstract

During fusion, when both eyes view a set of identical vertical contours, reaction times (RT) to decrements in contrast of either set of contours are very brief. When the right eye views a set of vertical contours and the left eye views a set of horizontal contours, vigorous binocular rivalry results. RTs to decrements in the contrast of one set of contours is brief if those contours are dominant in rivalry; RT is lengthened considerably if those contours are suppressed. When the right eye views a set of vertical contours and the left eye views a set of horizontal contours and a set of vertical contours, RTs to decrements in contrast of any of those contours are comparable to those measured during fusion, not during rivalry. This pattern of results indicates that the presence of matching features in the two eyes' views renders those features exempt from binocular suppression; binocular fusion takes precedence over binocular rivalry. © 1985 Psychonomic Society, Inc.