Non-linearity of the interactions between bottom-up and top-down signals in multistable visual perception

Summary Both bottom-up sensory information and top-down influences contribute to the perception processes. We studied the perceptual alternations of a multistable ambiguous pattern. We observed that it is possible to interfere on the process of the perception alternance by means of subliminal visual stimuli, which either contrast or second the previous perception. We investigated also the effect of the top-down volitional factor on the perceptual alternation. By using a combination of such top-down factor and bottom-up stimulation, we ascertained that a non-linear type of interaction occurs between the two above factors. Paper presented at the International Workshop ?Fluctuations in Physics and Biology: Stochastic Resonance, Signal Processing and Related Phenomena?, Elba, 5–10 June 1994.