Visual Illusions

Definition

Visual illusions are perceptual experiences that occur when there is a mismatch between the physical reality of a stimulus and how it is perceived by the brain. They can distort or misinterpret visual information, leading to an inaccurate perception of reality.

Related terms

Sensory Adaptation:

Sensory adaptation refers to the process by which our senses become less responsive to constant or repetitive stimuli over time. It helps explain why we may no longer perceive an illusion after being exposed to it repeatedly.

Gestalt Principles:

Gestalt principles are rules that describe how we organize and perceive visual information. They help us make sense of complex stimuli by grouping elements together based on similarity, proximity, closure, and other factors.

Bottom-Up Processing: Bottom-up processing refers to the way in which sensory information is analyzed and processed starting from basic features (such as lines, shapes, colors) before higher-level interpretation occurs. It plays a role in how we perceive and interpret visual illusions.