Memory effects in bi-stable depth-order perception: Influence of active and passive intermittent presentation of images

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The assignment of the “owner side” of a border, is an important aspect in the computation of depth- order and figure-ground organization. There is evidence for the existence of border-ownership (BOWN) sensitive neurons in the lower visual cortex. A neural circuit of a feedback system has been suggested in which BOWN computation is influenced by depth-order, while depth-order is constructed from BOWN signals. We recently developed a neuro-computational model, which implemented this idea [Kogo et al., 2011, Vision Research, 51(18), 2085-2098]. This Differentiation Integration for Surface Completion (DISC) model reproduces bi-stable depth-order perception by adding noise and adaptation. The DISC model predicts that passive intermittent presentation of an image stabilizes the perception. This perceptual stabilization is also called prolongation effect and demonstrates the influence of recent history of visual experiences in bi-stable depth-order perception. Furthermore, it has been reported that an active intermittent presentation by opening and closing eyes caused an even stronger stabilization [Leopold et al., 2002, Nature Neuroscience, 5(6), 605-609]. In this study, we investigated the prolongation effect by a passive intermittent presentation using Kanizsa’s anomalous transparency (KAT) image, Rubin’s face or vase (FV) image and the Necker cube (NC). The prolongation effect was observed in KAT and NC, but not in FV. In addition, we investigated the prolongation effect when subjects saw the images intermittently by opening and closing their eyes. The prolongation is further enhanced, which suggests that a higher level expectation influences the perceptual organization when ambiguous images are presented.