Biomaterial Database

An explanation for the Müller-Lyer illusion. 1977

T N Davies, and J Spencer

An investigation into the composite or colinear form of the Müller-Lyer illusion, with one shaft adjustable by subjects, was carried out using black-on-white and CRT displays. Three fin-angle and two fin-length conditions were examined for both configurations of this figure, i.e., arrow-headed and feather-headed standards. Adaptations of the Müller-Lyer figure were also studied. Framing effects influenced the extent of this illusion. A highly consistent illusion error for balanced-field conditions, based on the formula k L cos A can be predicted which relates closely to previous experimenters' observed illusory errors and gives a remarkably simple explanation for this illusion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007088	Illusions	The misinterpretation of a real external, sensory experience.	Autokinetic Effect,Autokinetic Illusions,Effect, Autokinetic,Illusions, Auditory,Illusions, Kinesthetic,Illusions, Tactile,Illusions, Visual,Auditory Illusion,Auditory Illusions,Autokinetic Effects,Autokinetic Illusion,Effects, Autokinetic,Illusion,Illusion, Auditory,Illusion, Autokinetic,Illusion, Kinesthetic,Illusion, Tactile,Illusion, Visual,Illusions, Autokinetic,Kinesthetic Illusion,Kinesthetic Illusions,Tactile Illusion,Tactile Illusions,Visual Illusion,Visual Illusions
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D009903	Optical Illusions	An illusion of vision usually affecting spatial relations.	Illusion, Optical,Illusions, Optical,Optical Illusion
D010469	Perceptual Distortion	Lack of correspondence between the way a stimulus is commonly perceived and the way an individual perceives it under given conditions.	Distortion, Perceptual,Distortions, Perceptual,Perceptual Distortions
D004777	Environment	The external elements and conditions which surround, influence, and affect the life and development of an organism or population.	Environmental Impact,Environmental Impacts,Impact, Environmental,Impacts, Environmental,Environments
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012858	Size Perception	The sensory interpretation of the dimensions of objects.	Perception, Size,Perceptions, Size,Size Perceptions