We sometimes see what doesn't exist

When you look straight ahead, you see everything in front of you clearly. However, you also have a blurred peripheral vision of what's on the sides. As a result, you might perceive some of what appears in your peripheral vision to be as clear as what's directly in front of you, even though this isn't the case.

Examples

Tilted Coins

Humans, based on prior experiences, typically perceive coins standing on their edge as round. Even if a coin is tilted slightly to the right or left, where it might appear oval, our brains utilize their prior knowledge about coins to make us perceive them as circular, assuming they are merely slanted.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) detailed how researchers from Johns Hopkins University explored this phenomenon. They designed nine experiments to test humans' ability to differentiate between reality and illusion. The experiments involved two types of coins: actual round coins that were slightly tilted to the left or right, and coins that were intentionally manufactured to be oval in shape. These coins were then placed side by side for the participants to view as shown in Figure 1.

The results indicated that participants could not distinguish between the truly oval coins and the tilted ones, seeing all the coins as round. The same results were obtained from computer simulations where coins were rendered using graphic software. This suggests that our brains tend to process what they expect to see, presenting the world as we believe it to be, rather than as it truly is.

Many neuroscientists support this hypothesis, which can be traced back to the nineteenth century. Hermann von Helmholtz, a German physician, physicist, and mathematician, posited that our perceptions do not represent reality but are rather our brain's best guess of it.

Peripheral Vision

Researchers from Dutch and British universities designed an experiment to determine whether peripheral vision is among the optical illusions that can deceive our minds. Their results suggest that, under certain conditions, a significant portion of our visual periphery can become subject to optical illusions. Marty Otten, a psychologist from the University of Amsterdam, states, "This effect seems to be tied to numerous basic visual features." He further suggests that the process our brain employs to fill in gaps in what we see is a fundamental mechanism related to sensory perception.

To conduct the experiment, the researchers engaged 20 volunteers. These participants were shown a series of images. Initially, an image would appear in the center, followed by a second image that gradually materialized. As the second image emerged, the central image began to fade at the periphery of the participants' field of vision. Participants were instructed to click a computer mouse button when they perceived the central and peripheral images to be identical.

The experiment revealed that at times, participants believed the images matched and clicked the mouse prematurely, before the two images actually aligned. This suggests the brain was compensating for the diminished detail in the peripheral image, equating it with the central image. It gave the impression that the emerging peripheral image was identical to the central image as it transitioned across the visual field.

Otten theorizes that the brain fills in missing visual information when the given stimuli aren't sufficiently vivid or detailed. Throughout the study, variables such as shape, brightness, shadow, and movement of the images were altered, but these changes didn't seem to impact the optical illusion's occurrence.

However, when there was a pronounced discrepancy between the central and peripheral images, the illusion was less frequent. If it did arise, it took longer to manifest.

It's worth noting that this study involved only 20 participants. Thus, more research is needed for a comprehensive understanding. Nonetheless, this experiment offers intriguing avenues for future exploration.

Scintillating Grid Illusion

Figure 2 displays a grid with 12 black dots, yet your brain doesn't allow you to see all these dots simultaneously.

This phenomenon occurs because when one neuron becomes more excitable and focused, its neighboring neurons become less so. Essentially, the brain prioritizes gathering more visual information through the activated neuron, even if this means other neurons are less effective during that moment.

The Kuleshov Effect

This is a film editing effect demonstrated by Russian filmmaker Lev Kuleshov. He aimed to illustrate the power of montage in influencing the emotional interpretation of a film sequence.

Kuleshov presented a shot of a man's face with a neutral expression. This was followed by a shot of a bowl of soup. When asked about their impression, viewers responded that the man looked hungry as shown in Figure 3.

In another sequence, Kuleshov showed the same shot of the man, followed by an image of a doll inside a box. The viewers' interpretations varied: some believed the man was a murderer, while others felt he was mourning the loss of his child.

In a third variation, after showing the man's face, Kuleshov displayed a shot of a woman. Viewers felt the man appeared romantically or sexually interested in the woman.

The essence of this experiment is that juxtaposing a neutral image with different context shots can dramatically alter the viewer's emotional interpretation. Reflecting on his experiment, Kuleshov stated, "Montage is what gives cinema its unique power; the viewer creates the meaning."

Figure 4 offers another example of the Kuleshov effect.

Eisenstein's Theory of Cinema

Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein (see Photo 10) effectively applied Kuleshov’s theory in his films, including "Battleship Potemkin" and "October". Eisenstein expanded upon Kuleshov’s concept, transforming it from mere influence to an exceptional cinematic phenomenon. This is because he utilized montage not just for artistic storytelling, but as a powerful tool for ideological, political, and promotional propaganda in favor of communism. As a result, he became one of the pioneering directors to harness cinema for political purposes.

Analyzing the montage of the renowned "Odessa Steps" sequence in "Battleship Potemkin", it becomes evident that Eisenstein's intent was not merely to have passive spectators. Rather, he crafted his sequences to profoundly impact the viewer's mindset and emotions, aiming to engender deep sympathy for the Russian Revolution.

Recognizing the film's potential, Lenin ensured its wide distribution across the Soviet Union. The intent was to rally widespread support for the revolution. The results were impactful, with many, especially among the illiterate population, feeling inspired to align with the Soviets and the revolutionary cause, marking both cinematic and political triumphs for Eisenstein.

Confident in the power of imagery, cinema, and montage to shape perceptions, Eisenstein set a precedent. His techniques were later emulated by others, including Nazi cinema, which produced propaganda films for Hitler, and by American cinema, which championed Western values and capitalism, particularly in Hollywood films during World War II and throughout the Cold War.

Methods of treatment

To enhance our perceptual abilities, we recommend the following methods:

Pay Attention to Context

Our perception of stimuli is often influenced by other stimuli that precede, follow, or occur concurrently. These surrounding stimuli are referred to as the context. Recognizing and understanding this context is crucial for accurate perception.

Increase Science and Knowledge

Pursuing knowledge undoubtedly broadens one's horizons. Each piece of new information not only accumulates in our minds but also evolves, helping in enhancing realistic understanding and offering better problem-solving approaches. The more we know, the quicker our learning processes and the more effective our cognitive abilities become. Thus, knowledge serves as a foundation for personal and societal growth.

Enhanced Ability to Concentrate

It's essential to clear our minds of distracting thoughts and focus intently on what we observe and hear.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

These practices can help in honing one's ability to focus and observe without judgment, thereby enhancing perceptual clarity.

To be continued …