Effects of reinforcement on binocular rivalry G Wilbertz1, B van Kemenade2, P Sterzer1 |
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1Visual Perception Laboratory, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany |
| Binocular rivalry is a phenomenon where the simultaneous presentation of two different stimuli to the two eyes leads to alternating perception of the two stimuli. The temporary dominance of one stimulus over the other is influenced by several factors. Here we hypothesized that increasing the subjective value of one stimulus via reinforcement should lead to a relative increase of its dominance duration. Orthogonal red and blue rotating grating stimuli were shown continuously, while monetary reward was applied repeatedly during the conscious perception of one stimulus but not the other. To rule out a subjective bias in reporting perception, periods of perceptual dominance were assessed objectively using two different approaches: in a behavioural experiment, perceptual dominance was inferred from behavioural performance in a supplementary target detection task. In a second functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment, perceptual dominance was decoded from neural activations in visual cortex using multivariate pattern analysis. Both experiments demonstrate an increase of dominance duration of the rewarded stimulus. These results indicate an influence of value learning on inferential processes in perception. |
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