Definition:

Binocular Rivalry refers to the phenomenon experienced when dissimilar images are presented to each eye simultaneously, causing alternations in perception. In such cases, the brain cannot fuse the two images into a single coherent perception, resulting in rivalry between the inputs from each eye.

How it works:

Binocular rivalry occurs due to the brain’s natural tendency to suppress conflicting sensory inputs in order to maintain perceptual stability. When dissimilar images are presented to each eye, the brain alternates between favoring one image at a time, leading to perceptual transitions and rivalry.

Perceptual outcomes:

During binocular rivalry, the dominant image is perceived consciously, while the suppressed image remains below the threshold of awareness. The duration of dominance and suppression can vary, and different factors can influence the perceptual outcomes.

Causes:

Binocular rivalry is primarily caused by the visual system’s inability to integrate incompatible information from both eyes into a single percept. The dissimilarity between the images can result from differences in shape, color, orientation, or other visual attributes.

Potential applications:

Binocular rivalry has been widely studied in the field of psychology and neuroscience, serving as a valuable tool to investigate the mechanisms of visual perception and the workings of the human brain. It has also found applications in the development of visual tests, virtual reality systems, and understanding certain visual disorders.