Attractive Contours of the Ebbinghaus Illusion

Percept Mot Skills. 2016 Feb;122(1):88-95. doi: 10.1177/0031512515626632. Epub 2016 Feb 1.

Abstract

There is debate as to whether or not the Ebbinghaus illusion is driven by high-level cognitive size contrast mechanisms as opposed to low-level biphasic contour interactions. In this study, we examine the variability in effects that are shared between this illusion and a different illusion that cannot be explained logically by a size contrast account. This comparison revealed that nearly one quarter of the variability for one illusion is shared with the other - demonstrating how a size-contrast account cannot be the sole explanation for the Ebbinghaus illusion.

Keywords: Ebbinghaus illusion; biphasic contour interaction theory; size perception.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Form Perception / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Optical Illusions / physiology*
  • Size Perception / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*
  • Young Adult