Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and ApplicationsLuckiesh, Matthew
Science
Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications
Luckiesh, Matthew
Optical illusions
In explanation of the illusory phenomena pertaining to such geometrical
figures as are discussed in the foregoing paragraphs, chiefly two
different kinds of hypotheses have been offered. They are respectively
psychological and physiological, although there is more or less of a
mixture of the two in most attempts toward explanation. The psychological
hypotheses introduce such factors as attention, imagination, judgment, and
will. Hering and also Helmholtz claim that the kind of inversion which
occurs is largely a matter of chance or of volition. The latter holds that
the perception of perspective figures is influenced by imagination or the
images of memory. That is, if one form of the figure is vividly imagined
the perception of it is imminent. Helmholtz has stated that, "Glancing at
a figure we observe spontaneously one or the other form of perspective and
usually the one that is associated in our memory with the greatest number
of images."
The physiological hypotheses depend largely upon such factors as
accommodation and eye-movement. Necker held to the former as the chief
cause. He has stated that the part of the figure whose image lies near the
fovea is estimated as nearer than those portions in the peripheral regions
of the visual field. This hypothesis is open to serious objections. Wundt
contends that the inversion is caused by changes in the points and lines
of fixation. He says, "The image of the retina ought to have a determined
position if a perspective illusion is to appear; but the form of this
illusion is entirely dependent on motion and direction." Some hypotheses
interweave the known facts of the nervous system with psychological facts
but some of these are examples of a common anomaly in theorization, for
facts plus facts do not necessarily result in a correct theory. That is,
two sets of facts interwoven do not necessarily yield an explanation which
is correct.
VI
THE INFLUENCE OF ANGLES
As previously stated, no satisfactory classification of visual illusions
exists, but in order to cover the subject, divisions are necessary. For
this reason the reader is introduced in this chapter to the effects
attending the presence of angles. By no means does it follow that this
group represents another type, for it really includes many illusions of
several types. The reason for this grouping is that angles play an
important part, directly or indirectly, in the production of illusions.
For a long time many geometrical illusions were accounted for by
"overestimation" or "underestimation" of angles, but this view has often
been found to be inadequate. However, it cannot be denied that many
illusions are due at least to the presence of angles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account