Head and Eye Movement in Binocular Rivalry: a Virtual Reality Experiment

Abstract

This virtual reality experiment was conducted in order to study the possible effects of vertical and horizontal head and/or eye movements on stimulus dominance in binocular rivalry. Studying movement effects in binocular rivalry with the use of virtual reality allows for gaining more knowledge about visual perception, this has not been done previously in this way. To gather data, 15 participants in this experiment individually took part in 4 virtual reality trials during which their perceived visual dominance of either horizontal or vertical lines was recorded over time. The recorded responses were then compared to the orientation of the stimulus. During this experiment it was determined that the dominance of either horizontal or vertical lines is not congruent with the orientation of the stimulus. Other possible effects are yet to be uncovered. This experiment demonstrates an experimental condition that is more ecologically validating for researching binocular rivalry than most research that has been conducted so far. Studying binocular rivalry and visual perception with the use of virtual reality is therefore highly desirable for future research