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Objective: We investigated whether naturalistic, intuitive (pattern recognition–based) decision making can be developed via implicit statistical learning in a simulated real-world environment. Background: To our knowledge, no definitive studies have actually shown that implicit learning plays a causal role in the development of intuitive decision making when the latter is defined as pattern recognition of real-world, or simulated real-world, environmental situations. Method: The simulated environment was presented dynamically so as to induce a sense of simulated locomotion through the scene and over sequences of objects on the ground. During training, participants passively viewed the objects sequences; during test, participants made intuitive decisions about related or unrelated sequences. Results: Intuitive decision making can be developed via implicit learning. Articulatory suppression, which affects working memory, exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the training of intuitive decision making. Intuitive decision making trained in the simulated environment fully transferred to a flat display (but not vice versa). Conclusion: Intuitive decision making is developed by an implicit learning process that is engaged by the meaning inherent in naturalistic scenes. Application: Implicit learning can be used for training intuitive decision making.

Objective: We provide a review and analysis of much of the published literature on binocular rivalry that is relevant to the design and use of head-worn displays (HWDs). Background: This review draws heavily from both the basic vision literature and applied HWD literature in order to help provide insight for minimizing the effects of binocular rivalry when HWDs are worn. Method: Included in this review are articles and books found cited in other works as well as articles and books obtained from an Internet search. Results: Issues discussed and summarized are (a) characteristics of binocular rivalry, (b) stimulus factors affecting rivalry, (c) cognitive variables affecting rivalry, and (d) tasks affected by rivalry. Conclusion: This paper offers a set of recommendations for minimizing the effects of binocular rivalry when HWDs are used as well as recommendations for future research. Application: Considerations of the basic vision literature on binocular rivalry will provide insight for future design solutions for HWDs.

Objective: We sought to determine the optimal focal distance for a semitransparent monocular head-mounted display (HMD) integrated with a flight simulator display and to investigate whether observers experienced visual discomfort or impaired target recognition when using an HMD set at the optimal distance. Background: When an observer wears a monocular HMD and views a simulator display, focal distances of both displays must be within the observers' depth of focus to prevent blurred imagery. Because focal distance can vary by as much as 0.5 m in U.S. Air Force multifaceted simulator displays, we determined whether a monocular HMD could be integrated with a simulator display without blurred imagery or discomfort. Method: Depth of focus and visual recognition were measured with a staircase procedure, and visual discomfort was measured with a questionnaire. Results: Depth of focus was 0.64 diopters in one condition tested, but it was affected by luminance level and display resolution. It was recommended that HMD focal distance equal the optical midpoint of the range of viewing distances encountered in the simulator. Moreover, wearing an HMD produced a decline in recognition performance for targets presented on the simulator display despite both displays being within observers' depth of focus and producing no visual discomfort. Conclusion: Monocular HMDs can be integrated with multifaceted simulator displays without blurred imagery or visual discomfort, provided that the correct focal distance is adopted. Application: For situations involving simultaneously viewed visual displays.

Objective: We provide a review and analysis of much of the published literature on visual perception issues that impact the design and use of head-mounted displays (HMDs). Background: Unlike the previous literature on HMDs, this review draws heavily from the basic vision literature in order to help provide insight for future design solutions for HMDs. Method: Included in this review are articles and books found cited in other works as well as articles and books obtained from an Internet search. Results: Issues discussed include the effect of brightness and contrast on depth of field, dark focus, dark ergence, and perceptual constancy; the effect of accommodation-vergence synergy on perceptual constancy, eyestrain, and discomfort; the relationship of field of view to the functioning of different visual pathways and the types of visual motor tasks mediated by them; the relationship of binocular input to visual suppression; and the importance of head movements, head tracking, and display update lag. Conclusion: This paper offers a set of recommendations for the design and use of HMDs. Application: Consideration of the basic vision literature will provide insight for future design solutions for HMDs.