Abstract
Two well practiced subjects indicated the apparent orientation of a Necker cube displayed immediately after the offset of one of two unambiguous forms. The unambiguous forms were identical to the Necker cube, except that lines were removed to represent opaque rather than transparent cubes. The duration of preexposure of the unambiguous forms was varied at 300, 600, 1,200, 2,400, and 4,800 msec. The main dependent variable was the estimated probability of the response to the ambiguous stimulus, being opposite to the orientation of the preexposed stimulus. From about 600 responses from each subject at each duration, these probability estimates turned out to be significantly different for the different durations. They all were greater than .5 and increased monotonically with preexposure duration. It was concluded that a simple random model of Necker reversals is inadequate; some form of a satiation model is needed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Attneave, F. Multistability in perception. In R. Held & W. Richards (Eds.), Recent progress in perception: Readings from Scientific American. San Francisco: Freeman, 1976.
Cohen, L. Rate of apparent change of a Necker cube as a function of prior stimulation. American Journal of Psychology, 1959, 72, 327–344.
Cornwell, H. G. Necker cube reversal: Sensory or psychological satiation? Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1976,43, 3–10.
Epstein, W., & Rock, I. Perceptual set as an artifact of recency. American Journal of Psychology, 1960,73,214–288.
Kohler, W., & Wallach, H. Figural aftereffects of visual processes. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 1944, 88, 269–357.
Leeper, R. A study of a neglected portion of the field of learning- The development of sensory organization. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 1935, 46,41–75.
McGill, W. J. Stochastic latency mechanisms. In R. D. Luce, R. R. Bush, & E. Galanter (Eds.), Handbook of mathematical psychology (Vol. 1). New York: Wiley, 1967.
Pelton, L. H. Reversals in the momentary absence of percepts. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1969, 29, 677–678.
Sadler, T. G., & Mefferd, R. B., Jr. Fluctuations of perceptual organization and orientation: Stochastic (random) or steady-state (satiation)? Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1970, 31, 739–749.
Sadler, T. G., & Mefferd, R. B., Jr. Data requirements for satiation theories: A rejoinder to Price. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1971, 33, 999–1005.
Smith, O. W., & Barut, C. Relation of spatial abilities to reversal rates of Necker cubes varying in degree of completeness. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1969, 29, 760–762.
Wieland, B. A., & Mefferd, R. B., Jr. Individual differences in Necker cube reversal rates and perspective dominance. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1967, 24, 923–930.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Emerson, P.L. Necker cube: Duration of preexposure of an unambiguous form. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 14, 397–400 (1979). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329490
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329490