illusions Flashcards
What is a visual illusion
a visual illusion is a consistent misinterpretation of real sensory information
what is the muller lyer illusion
the muller lyer illusion is a visual illusion in which one of two lines of equal length, each of which has opposite shaped ends, is incorrectly perceived as being longer than the other.
what are three possible explanations for the muller lyer illusion
-eye movement theory: proposes the arrow headed and feather tailed lines require different types and/or amounts of of eye movements
-carpentered world hypothesis: this explanation proposes that the illusion occurs because of its similarity to familiar architectural features in the real three dimensional world we experience every day. we have grown accustomed to seeing these corners everywhere and use these angles to judge depth and distance. as a consequence arrow head looks shorter whilst feather tail looks longer.
-social perspective: cultural influences on the perception of the illusion, those in non-carpentered worlds don’t perceive the illusion whereas those that do live in carpentered worlds do perceive the illusion
what is the ames room illusion
it is based on the unusual construction of the ames room which involves people appearing smaller or larger depending on where they are standing.
The ames room illusion involves a trapezium shaped room that is longer and higher on one side than the other. when viewed through the peephole at the front of the room using only one eye, the room appears rectangular.
the rooms unusual shape and being restricted to the use of monocular vision to veiw it it provides basis for the illusion
