A visual illusion

0 A visual illusion is a misinterpretation (distortion or mistake) of real sensory information. It is an experience in which there is a mismatch between our perception and what we understand as physical reality. Psychologists have identified over 200 visual illusions. Here are a few http://www.trinitybolton.org/cc_files/cc_downloads/optical_illusion_mystery.pdf

Muller-Lyer Illusion

0 The Muller-Lyer Illusion is a visual illusion in which one of the two lines of equal length, each of which has opposite shaped ends, is incorrectly perceived as being longer than the other. The line with the feather tail as end (b) is perceived as being longer than the line with arrowhead at each end (a).

Muller-Lyer Illusion

A

B

An experiment can be seen

0 Some one come up and do the experiment for the rest of the class

0 An experiment showing this illusion

0 http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/psychsim5/Visual%20Illusions/PsychSim_Shell.html

Ames Room Illusion

0 The Ames room illusion involves a trapezium-shaped room that is longer and higher on oneside than the other. When viewed through a peephole at the front of the room using one eye, the room appears rectangular. The room’s unusual shape and being restricted to the use of monocular vision to view it provides basis for the illusion.

Zimbardo explaining the Ame’s Room

0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCV2Ba5wrcs

The Moon Illusion

0 The Moon illusion is an optical illusion in which the moon appears larger near the horizon than it does while higher up in the sky. This optical illusion also occurs with the sun and star constellations. It has been known since ancient times, and recorded by numerous different cultures. The explanation of this illusion is still debated.

Complete 3.29 p 138 3.31 p 140

T/F Questions p 141 Multi choice p 142-143

Short answer p 144