Multi- and Unisensory Visual Flash Illusions

The role of stimulus structure in multisensory and unisensory interactions was examined. When a flash (17 ms) was accompanied by multiple tones (each 7 ms, SOA < 100 ms) multiple flashes were reported, and this effect has been suggested to reflect the role of stimulus continuity in multisensory interactions. In experiments 1 and 2 we examined if stimulus continuity would affect concurrently presented stimuli. When a relatively longer flash (317 ms) was accompanied by multiple tones (each 7 ms), observers reported perceiving multiple flashes. In experiment 3 we tested whether a flash presented near fixation would induce an illusory flash further in the periphery. One flash (17 ms) presented 5° below fixation was reported as multiple flashes if presented with two flashes (each 17 ms, SOA = 100 ms) 2° above fixation. The extent to which these data support a phenomenological continuity principle and whether this principle applies to unisensory perception is discussed.