Perceptual Illusions Flashcards
What are illusions?
Compelling but incorrect perceptions
What is generally the cause of illusions?
Perceptual constancies that ordinarily help us to perceive more accurately
What are the two depth cues that are responsible for the Ponzo illusion?
Linear perspective
Height in the horizontal plane
Explain the Ponzo illusion
The information going to the retina says that the lines are the same length, but the depth cues convince the brain that one line is further away than the other, and it must therefore look smaller
Explain the Ames Room
The brain assumes that the person on the right is the same distance away as the person on the left, and therefore that they must be taller - this is because the shape of the room is not rectangular, instead the left corner is twice as far away than the right corner
What other factors can influence our perception?
The surroundings or context in which a stimulus occurs
