Fragmentation and identifiability of repeatedly presented brief visual stimuli

Ss were given repeated brief presentations of geometric forms and drew what they thought they saw. The stimulus patterns were presented tachistoscopically for as many repetitions as necessary for correct identification. The nature and sequential properties of pattern fragments reported prior to correct identification were examined. The first fragments to be reported were generally straight line elements of the stimulus patterns. With repeated presentations, more features were gradually reported until the complete figure was correctly identified. The pattern of construction appeared similar to patterns of fragmentation found in research on stabilized retinal images, prolonged afterimages, and conditions of steady fixation. Implications of these findings for theories of pattern information processing were discussed.