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HERING'S ILLUSION
Author(s) -
HOLTHANSEN KRISTIAN
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1961.tb00796.x
Subject(s) - illusion , optical illusion , curvature , psychology , distortion (music) , perception , optics , point (geometry) , parallel , geometry , eye movement , physics , cognitive psychology , mathematics , neuroscience , amplifier , optoelectronics , cmos
A series of optical experiments was designed to investigate several factors that may help to explain the Hering Illusion. In this illusion subjects are shown two vertical lines crossed by angular lines which stem from the point midway between them; subjects then report the straight pair of parallel lines as appearing curved in a bow‐shaped manner. Findings indicate increased perceived curvature of the lines when the angles presented are greater in number or size. The illusion is further increased if the angles and lines are shown sequentially rather than simultaneously. Similar results occur on presentation of a circle cutting through the rays of a quadrangular star; the circle looks ‘squarish’. When lines or circles are presented to one eye only while the other eye receives the angles or star, this illusion still holds. All perceived curvature shows anti‐apical distortion, which appears due to neuro‐cortical after‐effects underlying visual perception.