The following is a summary of “Reconstructing a disambiguation sequence that forms perceptual memory of multistable displays via reverse correlation method: Bias onset perception but gently,” published in the March 2023 issue of Ophthalmology by Pastukhov, et al.

For a study, researchers investigated the formation of perceptual memory of multistable displays when presented intermittently with long blank intervals using bistable kinetic depth effect displays and a reverse correlation method. 

The study consisted of the interleaved, fully ambiguous probe and exogenously disambiguated prime displays, with purely random disambiguation sequences presented at the beginning of the prime display, throughout the entire presentation, or at the beginning and end of the presentation. They selected a subset of trials with disambiguation sequences that led to a change in perception of the prime itself or the following fully ambiguous probe. Average disambiguation sequences were estimated for each participant using linear additive models.

They found that an optimal sequence for forming perceptual memory started at the onset with a moderate disambiguation against the previously dominant state, which gradually reduced until the display was fully ambiguous. The sequence also altered the prime’s perception, indicating that perception and perceptual memory form simultaneously. 

The study suggested that perceptual memory is a consequence of an earlier evidence accumulation process and is informative about how the visual system treated ambiguity in the past rather than how it anticipates an uncertain future. 

The findings provided insight into the mechanisms underlying the formation of perceptual memory for multistable displays and may have implications for understanding how the visual system processes ambiguous stimuli over time

Reference: jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2785454