We are focused on looking at an image and we interpret something in a certain way. Suddenly, our mind begins to see an object different from the initial one. Surely you have ever seen a black and white image that can be interpreted as a cup or two faces. Does it look familiar to you?
While it is true that the experiences we have had throughout our lives influence our way of perceiving reality, images can also vary depending on the perspective we have at that moment. In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about the Optical illusions in psychology: what they are, types and how we perceive them.
What are optical illusions in psychology
First of all, we must understand what we mean when we talk about optical illusions in psychology. This concept is associated with the interpretation we make of an image from our senses and the experiences we have had throughout life.
It should be noted that this perception leads to distorted interpretations of external stimuli. When this happens at the level of optical illusions, perception allows different meanings to be given to the same image, thanks to the previous information that has been stored in memory. In other words, human beings perceive illusions according to the stimuli you have had in your daily life.
Likewise, there are some that have been in charge of the study of optical illusions over the years. Next, we will point out the most relevant ones:
Gestalt psychology
In global terms, special emphasis has been placed on this class of perception phenomena. This branch is based on the premise that there is a tendency to group visible objects under specific shapes even though they are not seen in their entirety. For this reason, perception makes it possible for a global interpretation to occur.
Experimental Psychology
Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the German psychologist Wilheim Wundt was responsible for carefully analyzing the perception of visual phenomena. In this way, William Wundt created the illusion of the inverted “T”, which indicates that it is possible to perceive a longer line compared to another of equal length.
Types of optical illusions in psychology
Although optical illusions in psychology have a univocal meaning, there are some characteristics that allow them to be differentiated. Next, we show you the different types of optical illusions:
- Optical distortion illusions: They are optical illusions in which variations can occur in some of the characteristics of the same image, such as size, symmetry, length, among others.
- Fictitious illusions: They represent the figures that are perceived despite the absence of the relevant stimulus.
- ambiguous illusions: They consist of figures that appear due to the perception of two or more shapes from the same stimulus.
- paradoxical illusions: This type of optical illusions occur when viewing objects that are impossible to reproduce in everyday life.
If you want to know more about illusions you can also read.
How the brain works with optical illusions
To vary a person’s perception and produce optical illusions, it is essential that a series of important factors occur. First of all, it must be taken into account that during this process the brain enters a state of confusion, since the stimulus presented can have different meanings. For this reason, optical illusions are the result of a deception that occurs due to the impossibility of finding an adequate balance between what is perceived and its univocal meaning.
In contrast to the classic phenomenon of optical illusions, there is a trend that considers that the person’s experiences do not influence optical illusions and that the brain can see simple and integrated objects. This explains the low incidence of personal experiences linked to the images stored in memory. For an optical illusion to come true intervention of both the left and right hemispheres will be necessarywith the objective of integrating the information coming from the external stimulus.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Lazzari, L., Moulia, P., Gervasoni, A. (2016). Contributions of optical illusions to different fields of knowledge. Cimbage Notebooks, 18 (1), 81-107.
- Oviedo, GL (2004). The definition of the concept of perception in psychology based on Gestalt theory. Magazine of Social Studies, 18 (10), 89-96.