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Perception of illusory movement

Abstract

Intensive studies of visual illusion have rarely shown examples of polymorphic responses1–3. We show here that, using figures consisting of stripes shaded from dark to light, arranged in repeating sectors, an illusion of movement can be induced in about 75% of observers when viewed peripherally. The responses of the viewers fall into four categories. This polymorphic response suggests a genetic origin.

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References

  1. Gregory, R. L. Eye and Brain; the Psychology of Seeing (World University Library, London, 1966).

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  2. Robinson, J. O. The Psychology of Visual Illusions (Hutchinson, London, 1972).

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  3. Coren, S. & Girgus, J. S. Seeing is Deceiving (Wiley, New York, 1978).

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Fraser, A., Wilcox, K. Perception of illusory movement. Nature 281, 565–566 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/281565a0

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