Difference between revisions of "Zollner illusion" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | The '''Zöllner illusion''' is a classic [[optical illusion]] where a pattern surrounding parallel lines creates the illusion that they are not parallel. The Zöllner illusion is similar to other line illusions like the [[Hering illusion]], the [[Poggendorff illusion]], and the [[Mueller-Lyer illusion]]. | ||
| − | + | ==Discovery== | |
| − | The | + | The Zöllner illusion is named for German astrophysicist [[Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner]], who discovered the effect in 1860. Zöllner described his discovery in a letter to physicist and scholar J. C. Poggendorff, editor of ''[[Annalen der Physik|Annalen der Physik und Chemie]]'', who, because of Zöllner's letter, discovered the related [[Poggendorff illusion]]. |
| + | [[Image:Zollner_illusion.svg|thumb|right|225px|'''Zöllner illusion''']] | ||
| − | + | ==Description== | |
| + | The Zöllner figure is composed of a series of parallel, diagonal lines intersected by a number of short horizontal and vertical bars. The parallel lines appear not to be parallel at all; rather, they appear to converge and diverge from each other. | ||
| − | + | ==Explanation== | |
| + | While the exact mechanisms that cause the Zöllner illusion are not fully understood by scientists, it is possible that the effect can be attributed to the way the brain processes angles. This theory suggests that the brain exaggerates acute angles and underestimates obtuse angles. The brain then adjusts the angles on the transverse lines to create the illusion that the longer lines are slanted. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the illusion is most powerful at an angle, as perfectly horizontal and vertical lines are more likely to be interpreted correctly. | ||
| − | + | Alternatively, the illusion may be caused by an impression of depth. The fact that shorter lines are on an angle to the longer lines may help to create the impression that one end of the longer lines is nearer to the viewer than the other end. | |
| + | Interestingly enough, if the colors in the illusion are changed to equal values of green and red, the illusion disappears. | ||
| + | ==Applications== | ||
| + | Like many perceptual line illusions, the Zöllner illusion helps scientists to study the ways in which images are perceived and interpreted by the visual system. The fact that the illusion does not persist when equal values of red and green are used can help scientists design new ways to study the effect of the illusion and better understand the way visual images are processed. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | *Hunt, Morton. ''The Story of Psychology'' April, 1994. Anchor. ISBN 0385471491 | ||
| + | *Pohl, Rudiger. ''Cognitive Illusions: A Handbook on Fallacies and Biases in Thinking, Judgment and Memory'' January 2005. Psychology Press. ISBN 1841693510 | ||
| + | *Seckel, Al. ''Optical Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception'' September 2006. Firefly Books. ISBN 1554071720 | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 14:25, 31 October 2007
The Zöllner illusion is a classic optical illusion where a pattern surrounding parallel lines creates the illusion that they are not parallel. The Zöllner illusion is similar to other line illusions like the Hering illusion, the Poggendorff illusion, and the Mueller-Lyer illusion.
Discovery
The Zöllner illusion is named for German astrophysicist Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner, who discovered the effect in 1860. Zöllner described his discovery in a letter to physicist and scholar J. C. Poggendorff, editor of Annalen der Physik und Chemie, who, because of Zöllner's letter, discovered the related Poggendorff illusion.
Description
The Zöllner figure is composed of a series of parallel, diagonal lines intersected by a number of short horizontal and vertical bars. The parallel lines appear not to be parallel at all; rather, they appear to converge and diverge from each other.
Explanation
While the exact mechanisms that cause the Zöllner illusion are not fully understood by scientists, it is possible that the effect can be attributed to the way the brain processes angles. This theory suggests that the brain exaggerates acute angles and underestimates obtuse angles. The brain then adjusts the angles on the transverse lines to create the illusion that the longer lines are slanted. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the illusion is most powerful at an angle, as perfectly horizontal and vertical lines are more likely to be interpreted correctly.
Alternatively, the illusion may be caused by an impression of depth. The fact that shorter lines are on an angle to the longer lines may help to create the impression that one end of the longer lines is nearer to the viewer than the other end.
Interestingly enough, if the colors in the illusion are changed to equal values of green and red, the illusion disappears.
Applications
Like many perceptual line illusions, the Zöllner illusion helps scientists to study the ways in which images are perceived and interpreted by the visual system. The fact that the illusion does not persist when equal values of red and green are used can help scientists design new ways to study the effect of the illusion and better understand the way visual images are processed.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Hunt, Morton. The Story of Psychology April, 1994. Anchor. ISBN 0385471491
- Pohl, Rudiger. Cognitive Illusions: A Handbook on Fallacies and Biases in Thinking, Judgment and Memory January 2005. Psychology Press. ISBN 1841693510
- Seckel, Al. Optical Illusions: The Science of Visual Perception September 2006. Firefly Books. ISBN 1554071720
External links
- Zöllner illusion at Akiyoshi Kitayoka's illusion pages
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