Effects of inspection figure persistence on a figural aftereffect

Abstract

Four experimental and four control Ss were presented monocularly with a large white circle on a black background (Inspection figure). Then Ss were asked to switch to the opposite eye and make relative size judgments of two smaller circles, equal in size, one of which (the T-figure) was centered on the same point as the I-figure. For FAE control Ss the I-figure was removed during and subsequent to the brief period required to change to the opposite eye, whereas experimental Ss were treated identically except that the I-figure persisted in its former position during testing. Control Ss typically judged the T-figure to be smaller than the comparison figure, thus exhibiting reliable figural aftereffects. Experimental Ss typically judged the T-figure to be larger than the comparison figure, exhibiting a reliable reversal of FAE.