Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and ApplicationsLuckiesh, Matthew
Science
Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications
Luckiesh, Matthew
Optical illusions
In special simple cases it is not difficult to determine when or how
nearly a perception is true but in general, agreement among normal
persons is necessary owing to the absence of any definite measuring device
which will span the gap between the perception and the objective reality.
Illusions are sometimes called "errors of sense" and some of them are
such, but often they are errors of the intellect. The senses may deliver
correctly but error may arise from imagination, inexperience, false
assumptions, and incorrect associations, and the recency, frequency, and
vividness of past experience. The gifts of sight are augmented by the mind
with judgments based upon experience with these gifts.
The direct data delivered by the visual sense are light, intensity, color,
direction. These may be considered as simple or elemental sensations
because they cannot be further simplified or analyzed. At this point it is
hoped that no controversy with the psychologist will be provoked. In the
space available it appears unfruitful to introduce the many qualifications
necessary to satisfy the, as yet uncertain or at least conflicting,
definitions and theories underlying the science of psychology. If it is
necessary to add darkness to the foregoing group of elemental visual
sensations, this will gladly be agreed to.
The perceptions of outline-form and surface-contents perhaps rank next in
simplicity; however, they may be analyzed into directions. The perception
of these is so direct and so certain that it may be considered to be
immediate. A ring of points is apparently very simple and it might be
considered a direct sense-perception, but it consists of a number of
elemental directions.
The perception of solid-form is far more complex than outline-form and
therefore more liable to error. It is judged partially by binocular vision
or perspective and partly by the distribution of light and shade. Colors
may help to mold form and even to give depth to flat surfaces. For
example, it is well known that some colors are "advancing" and others are
"retiring."
Perhaps of still greater complexity are the judgments of size and of
distance. Many comparisons enter such judgments. The unconscious acts of
the muscles of the eye and various external conditions such as the
clearness of the atmosphere play prominent parts in influencing judgment.
Upon these are superposed the numerous psycho-physiological phenomena of
color, irradiation, etc.
In vision judgments are quickly made and the process apparently is largely
outside of consciousness. Higher and more complex visual judgments pass
into still higher and more complex intellectual judgments. All these may
appear to be primary, immediate, innate, or instinctive and therefore,
certain, but the fruits of studies of the psychology of vision have shown
that these visual judgments may be analyzed into simpler elements.
Therefore, they are liable to error.
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