A Mathematical Model of Optical Illusions and Figural Aftereffects,
Abstract
Optical illusions constitute errors that accompany the brain's data reduction processes involved in pattern discrimination. The acquisition of an understanding of the cause of these visual aberrations will provide knowledge about the pattern recognition algorithms used by the eye and central nervous system which can aid efforts to model the brain's functions. The disparity between the 'apparent' line and the actual line that occurs in the case of peripheral vision is sufficient to produce the perceptual errors that occur in the Poggendorff, Hering and Muller-Lyer illusions. The magnitude of the Poggendorff illusion as a function of the line angle is derived and experimentally tested. The equations are further developed and used to derive Pollack's experimental results on figural after effects. The use of these concepts allows a degree of modeling of the central nervous system data reduction processes that may be of value in the development of pattern recognition for computer use. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0728141
Entities
People
- Evan Harris Walker
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory