Simultaneous disappearances of both images during binocular rivalry of contours and effect on eye-blink rate.

Simultaneous disappearances of both rivalry images were reported by 28 women who reported on the rivalry 3.2 degree diagonal rivalry contours for 10 min. of continuous viewing. The data support the notion that suppression of images during binocular rivalry is independent in both eyes. In a second study, 48 women reported simultaneous disappearances during the rivalry of 3.2 degree vertical and horizontal contours for 10 min. of continuous viewing under one of two blink-rate instruction conditions. Fewer simultaneous disappearances were reported by Ss instructed to blink every 5 sec. than by Ss instructed to blink every 15 sec. Blinking may reduce the probability of simultaneous disappearances in rivalry. In both studies, the fusion squares surrounding the rivalry stimuli were continuously perceived.