This cool Concentric Circles Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka is a version of the famous Frasier Spiral Illusion. In the Concentric Circles Illusion, the shapes are concentric circles that don’t overlap, but they appear to spiral and overlap.
If you are interested in learning more about the Concentric Circles Illusion and the Frasier Spiral illusion, scroll down to read more about it.
Table of Contents
- What is the Concentric Circles Illusion?
- How does the Concentric Circles Illusion work?
- Some Similar Illusions
- Discovery of the Concentric Circles Illusion
- References and Resources
What is the Concentric Circles Illusion?
The Concentric Circles Illusion is a version of the Fraser spiral illusion that was discovered by British psychologist James Fraser in 1908.
The Fraser spiral illusion involves a pattern of concentric circles that appear to spiral outwards from the center, even though the circles are actually arranged in perfectly straight lines. The illusion is created by the positioning of alternating black and white segments along the circumference of each circle, which creates a visual “flutter” effect that gives the impression of a spiral.
The illusion is an example of how our brains try to make sense of complex visual patterns by filling in missing information and making assumptions based on context and prior experience. The Fraser spiral illusion is a popular example in the study of visual perception, and has been used to explore the underlying neural mechanisms that contribute to our perception of visual patterns and motion.
How does the Concentric Circles Illusion Work?
The Concentric Circles Illusion is a version of the Fraser spiral illusion.
The Fraser spiral illusion works by exploiting the way our visual system processes information about edges and contrast. The illusion is created by a pattern of alternating black and white segments that are arranged along the circumference of a series of concentric circles. These segments are positioned so that they alternate in such a way that the contrast between adjacent segments is maximized, creating a visual “flutter” effect at the edges where they meet.
When we look at the pattern, our brain interprets the alternating black and white segments as a series of curved lines that spiral outwards from the center of the pattern. This is because our brain tries to make sense of the pattern by filling in missing information and assuming that the lines are curved, even though they are actually arranged in straight lines.
The illusion is also influenced by the contrast between adjacent segments. The high contrast between the black and white segments enhances the perceived curvature of the lines, creating the illusion of a spiral where none exists.
The Concentric Circles Illusion and the Fraser spiral illusion demonstrates how our brain interprets visual patterns based on context and prior experience, and highlights the importance of contrast and edge detection in our perception of visual motion and shape.
Some Similar Illusions
There are several other illusions that are similar to the Concentric Circles Illusion in that they involve the perception of curvature or motion where none actually exists. Here are a few examples:
- Poggendorff Illusion: This illusion involves the perception of a discontinuity or misalignment in a diagonal line that is obscured by a vertical or horizontal line that crosses over it. The illusion can create the impression of a bend or offset in the diagonal line where none actually exists.
- Lilac Chaser Illusion: This illusion involves the perception of a rotating “hole” in a ring of colored disks that creates the illusion of a moving spot of light. The effect is thought to be due to the brain’s perception of motion contrast and afterimages.
- Orbison Illusion: This illusion involves the perception of a rotating spiral pattern that appears to change direction after a period of time. The illusion is created by the brain’s tendency to perceive motion based on the contrast between adjacent areas of color and brightness.
- Müller-Lyer Illusion: This illusion involves the perception of two lines of equal length that appear to be different lengths due to the presence of arrowheads at the ends of the lines. The illusion is thought to be due to the brain’s use of context and perspective cues to interpret visual information.
The Concentric Circles Illusion and others like it demonstrate the complex and often surprising ways in which our visual system processes and interprets visual information, highlighting the importance of context and contrast in our perception of the world around us.
Discovery of the Concentric Circles Illusion
The Concentric Circles Illusion was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a Japanese psychologist and visual perception expert who is known for his research on visual illusions and his creation of many famous optical illusions. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.
The Fraser spiral illusion was discovered by British psychologist James Fraser in 1908. Fraser was interested in the way that our visual system processes information about motion and shape, and he used the spiral illusion as an example of how the brain can be tricked into perceiving motion or curvature where none actually exists.
Fraser’s work on the spiral illusion was part of a broader effort by psychologists and neuroscientists to understand how the brain processes and interprets visual information. Today, the illusion remains a popular example in the study of visual perception, and has been used to explore a range of topics, from the neural mechanisms of motion perception to the role of context and prior experience in shaping our perceptions of the world around us.
References and Resources
In addition to the Concentric Circles Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome Crescent Moon Bridge Illusion and this cool Parallel Lines Illusion and awesome Rotating Circles Illusion
