Abstract

In six experiments, we examined some properties of the learning effects reported for random-dot stereograms. The first three experiments offer a controlled replication of the retinal position-specific learning found by Ramachandran (1976) and a reexamination of the issue of random-dot pattern learning. Experiment 1 replicated the position-specific learning effect. Experiments 2 and 3 offered evidence that observers learn the monocular random-dot patterns and that this learning facilitates the depth percept. This result indicates that the traditional claim that random-dot stereograms are devoid of monocularly recognizable or useful forms should be reconsidered.

© 1988 Optical Society of America