Multistable Perception
Though studied for its effect on vision in this unit, Multistable Percepts exist outside of vision : it also affects the auditory, tactile, and olfactory senses. Multistable percepts are illusions that stem from the ambiguity of the presented image (the physical stimulus), which cannot be recognized with a unified interpretation by the human visual system. This ambiguity incorporated in the images causes a perceptual phenomena in which the single image produces a set of different subjective perceptual states which can be alternated between.
In a nutshell, the image (physical stimulus) has multiple credible perceptual organizations. However, each of these perceptual states are mutually exclusive states of perception, and are thus incompatible with each other.
Thus the name : Multistable Perception.
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The alternation / transition from the recognition of one perceptual state to another is referred to as a Perceptual Reversal. However, due to the different percepts that a person can see, as well as the incompatible nature of each percept, going through a perceptual reversal may be very difficult. Usually, the only ways in which a perceptual reversal occurs is through an unintentional, spontaneous reversal of perceptual states, unless the viewer uses a visual cue to discern one percept from the other.
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There are also a various factors with which the viewer can be affected by multistability. In some cases it may have to do with :
In a nutshell, the image (physical stimulus) has multiple credible perceptual organizations. However, each of these perceptual states are mutually exclusive states of perception, and are thus incompatible with each other.
Thus the name : Multistable Perception.
*****
The alternation / transition from the recognition of one perceptual state to another is referred to as a Perceptual Reversal. However, due to the different percepts that a person can see, as well as the incompatible nature of each percept, going through a perceptual reversal may be very difficult. Usually, the only ways in which a perceptual reversal occurs is through an unintentional, spontaneous reversal of perceptual states, unless the viewer uses a visual cue to discern one percept from the other.
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There are also a various factors with which the viewer can be affected by multistability. In some cases it may have to do with :
- Color Perception : Where one sees colors changing from time to time.
- Depth Perception : Where one sees different versions of an ambiguous image depending on the depth with which they view it, such as the Necker Cube
- Figure / Ground Perception : Where one sees different interpretations of an image depending on which image they decide to be the figure / ground.
The Spinning Dancer and the following two are instances of multistable perception :
Figure 1 : Necker Cubes (Source : Wikipedia)
The Necker Cube can be interpreted in two different ways, the more common of which is interpretation 1. The dotted lines act as visual cues.
Rubin Vase
Figure 2 : Rubin Vase (Source : Wikipedia)
The Rubin Vase is a multistable perception illusion in which a picture can look like a vase, or two people staring at each other.