An Investigation of a Satiation Process in the Reversible Perspective of Revolving Skeletal Shapes

Abstract

A technique for studying a satiation process is described, which is claimed to have many advantages over the older methods. A skeletal wire cube is rotated at 1 rev. per sec., and the time taken for the first apparent reversal of direction to occur is measured and called the “satiation period.” It is a much longer period than the mean period of subsequent reversals. This is due to the fact that the situation is one of biased ambiguity; biased by the cues to depth and thus to the true perspective.

Using this measure we have shown:—

(1) That the effect is predominantly central.

(2) That after satiation has occurred, reversing the cube's direction of rotation induces a longer than normal satiation period.

(3) There is no transfer of satiation to other types of static or mobile figure nor to other spatial locations.

(4) Satiation time is largely independent of brightness and colour.

(5) Köhler's theory of satiation is supported but it is given a neuronal basis rather than a basis in a non-neuronal, electrolytic type of cortical conduction.