On the basis of Koehler and Wallach's concept of "permanent homogeneous satiation" it was predicted that a visual figural aftereffect would decrease following prolonged sleep deprivation. Measurements of figural displacement were obtained from 7 Ss after 12, 30, 60, and 72 hr. of deprivation and also after 8 hr. of sleep. The results showed that lack of sleep decreased displacement immediately after inspection and produced counter displacement, i.e., attraction of the test figure, 30 and 60 sec. after inspection. The relevance of the findings to research on figural aftereffects in atypical individuals such as schizophrenics and retardates was discussed.
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