Diverting subjects' concentration slows figural reversals.

Earlier research has shown that subjects are slower to discover the alternative construal of ambiguous geometric figures if they are simultaneously engaged in distractor tasks. Results are reported which show that this effect slows reversals subsequent to the first reversal, and is therefore not merely slowing the discovery of the alternative construal. In addition, the magnitude of the distraction effect seems unchanged through the successive reversals. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for figural reversal and of their implications for the role of mental resources in perceiving.