et al. (2008) attempted to validate this method of perceptual suppression by exploring its optimal switch rate, strength of suppression and the duration as to how long images can be suppressed from consciousness using BSS. Optimal switch rate for BSS In Experiment 1 of Arnold et al., (2008), a white noise pattern and a target image switched between both eyes at selected constant rates. To test for optimal rates of BSS, images were switched between the both eyes at speeds ranging from 0.5 - 15 Hertz and the degree of suppression was measured. Participants were asked to indicate their response when they detect any part of the target image. Results showed that the optimal switch rates for BSS was of 1 Hertz and this is the rate which suppression was the longest. Duration of suppression It was suggested that on average, BSS is able to suppress images for 24 seconds (SD = 2.6). On the other hand, CFS managed to suppress images for a slightly shorter period of time of an average of 19.3 seconds (SD = 3.9). BSS' ability to induce suppression for a sustained period of time is promising and could be employed in the study of conscious, subconscious and non-conscious processing of visual stimulus. Relationship with binocular rivalry Binocular rivalry is an occurrence whereby visual perception switches between two eyes when different images are present to each eye. At each point of time, there is a random chance that perceptual dominance will occur at any of the eyes. Switches in perceptual dominance and perceptual suppression in each eye can also occur randomly from time to time. It has been suggested that during binocular rivalry, it is challenging to predict durations of dominance and suppression due to stochastic perceptual states. Subsequently, flash suppression and Continuous Flash Suppression were suggested as superior methods that can enhance the benefits and minimise the limitations of binocular rivalry. One of the limitations that is associated with binocular rivalry in exploring neural mechanisms of awareness is that perceptual dominance and suppression is only sustained for an unpredictably short period of time. BSS has demonstrated the ability to achieve longer duration of suppression than binocular rivalry. As such, it is plausible that BSS could be a better tool in exploring visual processing outside of awareness. Relationship with continuous flash suppression Continuous flash suppression (CFS), a technique which was developed by Tsuchiya and Koch in