Perceptual continuation and depth in visual phantoms can be explained by perceptual transparency

We try to explain perceptual continuation and depth in the visual-phantom i llusion in terms of perceptual transparency. Perceptual continuation of ind ucing gratings across the occluder in stationary phantoms could be explaine d with unique transparency, a notion proposed by Anderson (1997 Perception 26 419-453). This view is consistent with a number of previous reports incl uding that of McCourt (1994 Vision Research 34 1609-1617) who criticized th e stationary phantom illusion from the viewpoint of his counterphase lightn ess induction or grating induction, which might involve invalid transparenc y. Here we confirm that the photopic phantom illusion (Kitaoka et al, 1999 Perception 28 825-834) really gives in-phase lightness induction and involv es bistable transparency. It is thus suggested that perceptual continuation and depth in the visual-phantom illusion depend on perceptual transparency .