An Attentional Approach to Geometrical Illusions

Overview

Journal Front Psychol

Date 2024 Apr 30

PMID 38686092

Authors

Wladimir Kirsch

Wilfried Kunde

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

It is known for a long time that some drawings composed of points, lines, and areas are systematically misperceived. The origin of these geometrical illusions is still unknown. Here we outline how a recent progress in attentional research contributes to a better understanding of such perceptual distortions. The basic idea behind this approach is that crucial elements of a drawing are differently attended. These changes in the allocation of spatial attention go along with systematic changes in low-level spatial coding. As a result, changes in the perception of spatial extent, angles, positions, and shapes can arise. How this approach can be applied to individual illusions is discussed.

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