Misperception always generates inaccurate conclusions

Optical Illusions

In studying how the mind works, scientists have discovered that we do not truly "see" reality, but "interpret" it. The senses take in information and then a representation is constructed by the brain. Optical illusions are proof that the brain can easily interpret "reality" in a way that doesn't truly represent the real world.

See if you can discover how the brain "gets it wrong" as you play with these interactive optical illusions.

cafe wall*

circle
square*

drag
the arc

straight
lines?*

taller line?

top hat

taller
trumpeter

pac man love triangle

stay on track

impossible stairs

do you know your ABC's?

* We are having some technical difficulties getting these particular optical illusions to work in Netscape Navigator.

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