The effects of spatial frequency, orientation, and color upon binocular rivalry and monocular pattern alternation

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether or not monocular and binocular rivalry are mediated by the same mechanism. The question was approached by examining, in a series of two experiments, the spatial frequency and orientation tuning characteristics for both forms of rivalry, as well as the effects of color upon monocular and binocular rivalry. The results of Experiment 1 indicate that binocular rivalry is insensitive to spatial frequency and color. In Experiment 2, the effects of spatial frequency and orientation were examined. The results of this experiment indicate that binocular rivalry is less sensitive to changes in orientation than is monocular alternation. There is no effect of color upon binocular rivalry. It was concluded that monocular alternation and binocular rivalry are mediated by different mechanisms. © 1980, The psychonomic soceity, inc.. All rights reserved.