scholarly journals The assimilation theory applied to a modification of the Müller-Lyer illusion

1970 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Pressey
Keyword(s):  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Lyer Illusion

Assimilation Theory, Attentive Fields, and the Müller—Lyer Illusion

Perception ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bross ◽  
Richard Blair ◽  
Paul Longtin
Keyword(s):  
Field Size ◽  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Unitary Theory ◽  
Attentive Field ◽  
Lyer Illusion

The assimilation theory of geometric illusions was employed to predict changes in the outgoing and ingoing forms of the Müller—Lyer illusions as a function of attentive field size. It was found that the theory predicted correctly the form of the function relating amount of illusion and size of attentive field only for the outgoing Müller—Lyer. For the ingoing illusion the prediction was opposite to the empirically obtained results. The findings are seen as additional evidence for the untenability of a unitary theory, such as assimilation theory, for both versions of the Müller—Lyer illusion as they fail to account for substantial differences between them.

Attention and the Müller-Lyer Illusion: Simulation of an Experiment by Larsen and Garn

1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1323-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander W. Pressey ◽  
Bernd Kersten
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Visual Distortion ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Separate Effect ◽  
Close Relationship

An assimilation theory of visual distortion which emphasizes the role of attention was used to explain results obtained by Larsen and Garn (1988). A computer simulation of their experiment showed a close relationship ( r = .81) between obtained and predicted patterns of results in Müller-Lyer configurations. It was deemed unnecessary to postulate a separate effect in which fins of Müller-Lyer figures interfere with the ability to make a veridical comparison between shafts.

Effects of Gap Size between Shaft and Fins and of Angle of Fins on the Müller—Lyer illusion

Perception ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander W Pressey ◽  
Vincent Di Lollo ◽  
Robert W Tait
Keyword(s):  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Gap Size ◽  
Comparison Line ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Apparent Length

Assimilation theory was employed to generate quantitative predictions relating the ingoing Müller—Lyer illusion to both angle of fin and gap between shaft and fin. Gap sizes were varied from zero to 18 mm in steps of 2 mm, and angles of fins were varied from 30° to 180° in steps of 30°. Five subjects adjusted the length of a comparison line to match the apparent length of the shaft at each combination of gap size and angle of fin. It was predicted that the gap necessary for a reversed illusion to occur, and the gap at which the maximal reversed effect occurred, would be inversely related to angle of fins. Empirical functions verified the predictions.

Influence of Instructions and Cognitive Articulation on Reducing the Müller-Lyer Illusion with a Repeated Trial

1984 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 791-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santo Di Nuovo
Keyword(s):  
Female Students ◽  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Illusory Effect ◽  
Repeated Trial ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Geometrical Illusions ◽  
Trial Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference

The role of specific, suggestive instructions and of the subject's cognitive articulation in fostering modifications of Müller-Lyer illusory effect was studied. 60 female students were divided into four subgroups on the basis of (a) Witkin's GEFT scores and (b) instructions given to the subjects for the repeated trial. Analysis shows no statistically significant difference between the more and less articulated subjects on the first trial, for influence of both cognitive articulation and instructions or their interaction on the reduction of the illusion. Data are interpreted in terms of some theoretical explanations of geometrical illusions, such as ‘centration theory’ and ‘assimilation theory’.

Evidence for the Role of Attentive Fields in the Perception of Illusions

1974 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander W. Pressey
Keyword(s):  
Ponzo Illusion ◽  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Comparison Line ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Correct Direction ◽  
Perception Of Illusions

On the basis of the concept of attentive fields, it was predicted that the position of the comparison line would systematically affect the amount of illusion displayed in the Ponzo configuration and in two impoverished forms of the Müller-Lyer illusion. Ten of 12 predictions which seemed to be unique to assimilation theory were verified statistically and the remaining two predictions were in the correct direction. A reversed Ponzo illusion which was expected from the concept of attentive fields was not exhibited. This latter result was explained on the basis of the fact that the Müller-Lyer illusion of elongation is normally greater than the Müller-Lyer illusion of shrinkage.

Assimilation Theory and the Reversed Müller—Lyer Illusion

Perception ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
A W Pressey ◽  
M Bross
Keyword(s):  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Mathematical Formula ◽  
Lyer Illusion

The assimilation theory of geometric illusions was employed to explain the reversed ingoing form of the Müller–Lyer illusion. The mathematical formula which was used previously to predict changes in the Ponzo and Poggendorff illusions was employed in simulated experiments on the reversed Müller–Lyer illusion. It correctly predicted the form of the function, relating illusion to size of gap, that was found previously by Fellows (1967). In addition it correctly predicted the effects of increasing the length of the fins on the form of the function. Finally a reversed outgoing Müller–Lyer illusion was found when the outgoing fins were moved towards the center of the shaft.

Comments on Assimilation Theory and the Reversed Müller—Lyer Illusion

Perception ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
B J Fellows
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Work ◽  
Preceding Paper ◽  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Recent Experimental Work

This paper is a comment on the preceding paper in this issue by Pressey and Bross. The author reviews his position on the reversed Müller–Lyer illusion in which the illusion is explained in terms of the ‘enclosing nature’ of the ingoing fins. The two difficulties with this explanation pointed out by Pressey and Bross are discussed. Recent experimental work on the effects of enclosures is reported. A critique of Pressey and Bross's explanation of the reversed Müller–Lyer illusion is presented.

People Are Less Susceptible to Illusion When They Use Their Hands to Communicate Rather Than Estimate

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762199155
Author(s):  
Amanda R. Brown ◽  
Wim Pouw ◽  
Diane Brentari ◽  
Susan Goldin-Meadow
Keyword(s):  
American Sign Language ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
American Sign ◽  
Estimation Task ◽  
Sign Languages ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Description Task ◽  
The Way

When we use our hands to estimate the length of a stick in the Müller-Lyer illusion, we are highly susceptible to the illusion. But when we prepare to act on sticks under the same conditions, we are significantly less susceptible. Here, we asked whether people are susceptible to illusion when they use their hands not to act on objects but to describe them in spontaneous co-speech gestures or conventional sign languages of the deaf. Thirty-two English speakers and 13 American Sign Language signers used their hands to act on, estimate the length of, and describe sticks eliciting the Müller-Lyer illusion. For both gesture and sign, the magnitude of illusion in the description task was smaller than the magnitude of illusion in the estimation task and not different from the magnitude of illusion in the action task. The mechanisms responsible for producing gesture in speech and sign thus appear to operate not on percepts involved in estimation but on percepts derived from the way we act on objects.

scholarly journals The Influence of Exploration Mode, Orientation, and Configuration on the Haptic Müller-Lyer Illusion

Perception ◽  
10.1068/p5269 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 1475-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morton A Heller ◽  
Melissa McCarthy ◽  
Jennifer Schultz ◽  
Jayme Greene ◽  
Melissa Shanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Spatial Position ◽  
Lyer Illusion ◽  
Free Exploration ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

We studied the impact of manner of exploration, orientation, spatial position, and configuration on the haptic Müller-Lyer illusion. Blindfolded sighted subjects felt raised-line Müller-Lyer and control stimuli. The stimuli were felt by tracing with the index finger, free exploration, grasping with the index finger and thumb, or by measuring with the use of any two or more fingers. For haptic judgments of extent a sliding tangible ruler was used. The illusion was present in all exploration conditions, with overestimation of the wings-out compared to wings-in stimuli. Tracing with the index finger reduced the magnitude of the illusion. However, tracing and grasping induced an overall underestimation of size. The illusion was greatly attenuated when stimuli were felt with the index fingers of both hands. Illusory misperception was not altered by the position in space of the Müller-Lyer stimuli. No effects of changes in the thickness of the line shaft were found, but there were effects of the length of the wing endings for the smaller, 5.1 cm stimuli. The theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

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