Chances are you’ve encountered some version of the “Ebbinghaus illusion,” in which a central circle appears to be smaller when encircled by larger circles and seems larger when surrounded by smaller circles. It’s an example of context-dependent size perception. But is this unique to humans or are some animals susceptible as well? According to a new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, it might depend on the specific sensory environment, since the illusion relies on contextual clues to be effective.
Prior research has produced mixed results on the question of animals and their susceptibility to optical illusions, per the authors. Dolphins, chicks, and redtail splitfins seem to be susceptible, for example, while pigeons, baboons, and gray bamboo snakes are not.
Perhaps the best-known example is cats’ undeniable love of boxes and squares—the “if it fits, I sits” phenomenon documented all over the Internet. This behavior is generally attributed to the fact that cats feel safer when squeezed into small spaces, but it also tells us something about feline visual perception. A 1988 study and a 2021 study concluded that cats are susceptible to the Kanizsa square illusion, suggesting that they perceive subjective contours much like humans.
This is a fascinating topic! It’s interesting to think about how animals perceive the world differently from us. Optical illusions can really challenge our understanding of perception across species. Thanks for sharing this intriguing insight!
Absolutely! Their perception can vary significantly based on their sensory systems. For instance, some animals might rely more on movement or scent than visual cues, which could influence how they interpret optical illusions. It’s amazing how diverse our understanding of perception can be across species!
That’s a great point! Animals do perceive the world differently due to their unique sensory adaptations. For example, some species may rely more on movement detection rather than static shapes, which could influence how they interpret optical illusions. It’s fascinating how these differences shape their understanding of their environment!