The face forward or to the side illusion is another type of optical illusion that involves a two-dimensional image, usually a face, that appears to switch between looking straight ahead and looking to the side, depending on how you view it.
This illusion is created through the use of subtle differences in the proportions and positioning of facial features on each side of the face, which can trick the brain into perceiving a shift in the direction of the gaze.
The illusion is often used in artwork, such as portraits and sculptures, to create a sense of dynamism and movement.
Table of Contents
- How does the Profile or Portrait Illusion work?
- Versions of the Profile or Portrait Illusion
- Illusions like the Profile or Portrait Illusion
- Discovery of the Profile or Portrait Illusion
- References and Resources
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How does the Profile or Portrait Illusion work?
Ambiguous illusions work by presenting the viewer with an image that can be interpreted in different ways, depending on how the brain processes the visual information. These illusions take advantage of the fact that our perception of the world is not solely determined by the information that enters our eyes, but is also influenced by our prior experiences and expectations.
One common type of ambiguous illusion is the “Necker cube,” which is a two-dimensional drawing that can be interpreted as a cube that is either facing toward the viewer or away from the viewer, depending on how the image is viewed. Other examples of ambiguous illusions include the “duck-rabbit” illusion, which can be seen as either a duck or a rabbit, and the “vase-faces” illusion, which can be seen as either a vase or two faces looking at each other.
These illusions work by creating visual cues that can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading the brain to oscillate between different possible interpretations. The exact neural mechanisms underlying ambiguous illusions are still the subject of scientific study, but they are thought to involve complex interactions between different parts of the brain involved in visual processing, attention, and perceptual decision-making.
With the profile or portrait illusion, the brain organizes the visual information in a way that creates the most meaningful and coherent interpretation, which can vary depending on how the viewer looks at the image.
It works by playing with the viewer’s expectations about the relationships between the different facial features, and highlights the brain’s ability to perceive depth and 3-dimensional structure in 2-dimensional images, and how it organizes the information in a way that creates the most meaningful and coherent interpretation.
Additionally, it is also related to the concept of “perceptual set” which refers to the brain’s ability to focus on specific aspects of the image and ignore others depending on the context, and “top-down processing” where the brain uses prior knowledge to interpret the visual information coming from the eyes.
Versions of the Profile or Portrait Illusion
The following is another version of the Profile or Portrait Illusion:
Illusions like the Profile or Portrait Illusion
Ambiguous illusions are visual stimuli that can be interpreted in more than one way. These illusions typically consist of a single image that can be perceived in multiple ways. Ambiguous illusions can be used to study the neural mechanisms of perception and how the brain resolves ambiguity.
Some related illusions include the following:
The Rubin vase, also known as the Rubin face or the figure-ground vase, is a famous optical illusion in which the image of a vase can also be perceived as two faces in profile looking at each other.
The duck-rabbit illusion is an optical illusion that is an image that can be perceived as either a duck or a rabbit depending on how the viewer looks at it.
The Necker cube is an optical illusion that features a simple wireframe drawing of a cube. The cube appears to switch back and forth between two different orientations.
The My Wife and My Mother-in-Law illusion is an optical illusion with an image of a young woman’s face that can also be perceived as an older woman’s face.
The “My husband and father-in-law” illusion is a variation of the “My wife and my mother-in-law” illusion, which is an optical illusion that is an image of a man’s face that can also be perceived as an older man’s face.
This illusion is also created by the way the brain organizes the visual information in the image, and how it interprets the relationships between the different features of the face.
The Schröder Staircase is an optical illusion that features a drawing of a staircase. The staircase appears to be either ascending or descending, depending on how the brain interprets the angles of the lines.
The impossible cube is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.
The Penrose triangle, also known as the Penrose tribar, is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.
The impossible trident is a three-pronged impossible shape resembling a trident. It is usually depicted as a three-pronged fork with each prong appearing to be a continuation of the next, creating an impossible shape.
The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception
The Monroe-Einstein illusion works by playing with the viewer’s expectations about the relationships between the features of the faces and the viewer’s sense of facial proportions.
Discovery of the Profile or Portrait Illusion
No one is specifically credited with discovering the Profile or Portrait Illusion.
However, the very similar My Wife and My Mother In Law Illusion was originally published by American cartoonist William Ely Hill in 1915.
William Ely Hill was an artist and caricaturist. He is best known for his illustrations and cartoons that were published in magazines and newspapers in the early 20th century. He was born in London in 1887 and studied at the Lambeth School of Art. He began his career as an illustrator working for magazines such as Punch, The Tatler, and The Sketch. He then started to work as a cartoonist and illustrator for newspapers like The Bystander and The Graphic. He also illustrated books, such as “The Complete Book of Tricks and Puzzles” and “The Big Little Book of Jokes and Riddles”.
Hill became famous for his illustrations of women, which were often featured in advertisements, postcards, and magazines. His illustrations were known for their elegance and attention to detail, and for their ability to capture the spirit of the times. He was also known for his ability to convey humor and satire in his illustrations. His illustrations were featured in magazines and newspapers in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, and his work is considered to be a good representation of illustration and cartoon style of early 20th century. He died in London in 1962.
The very similar My Husband and My Father In Law illusion was created by neurology professor Dr. Jack Botwinick.
Dr. Jack Botwinick is a well-known neuropsychologist who has made significant contributions in the field of aging and cognitive psychology.
He is a professor of psychology at the City University of New York, and has also served as a faculty member at other institutions.
He has authored several books and numerous research papers on topics such as aging and memory, cognitive aging, and neuropsychology.
He is also known for his work in developing and testing theories of cognitive aging, and for his contributions to the understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying memory and aging.
References and Resources
Check out our complete list of illusions.