In this Rotating Circles Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, there are two cool effects. First, the interior spheres appear to move despite the image being completely static. In this way, the Rotating Circles Illusion is an example of illusory motion. Second, the light green shapes are perfect circles, but can appear hexagonal due to the design and location of the interior spheres. In this way, this is also a geometric illusion.
If you are interested in learning more about the Rotating Circles Illusion, illusory motion, and geometric illusions, scroll down to read more about it.
Table of Contents
- What is the Rotating Circles Illusion?
- How does the Rotating Circles Illusion work?
- Some Similar Illusions
- Discovery of the Rotating Circles Illusion
- References and Resources
What is the Rotating Circles Illusion?
The Rotating Circles illusion is an example of illusory motion. Illusory motion is a type of visual illusion that creates the perception of movement where there is none. This can happen in various ways, such as when stationary images are presented in rapid succession, or when static images are presented in a way that creates the impression of movement.
One example of illusory motion is the phi phenomenon, which is the perception of motion created by presenting two or more stationary images in rapid succession. This is the principle behind many types of animation, such as flipbooks and animated movies.
Another example of illusory motion is the motion aftereffect, also known as the waterfall illusion. This occurs when a person views a moving stimulus for an extended period of time, and then looks at a stationary object, which appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
Illusory motion can also occur through the use of optical illusions, such as the rotating snakes illusion, which creates the impression of snakes that are rotating when in fact the image is static.
Illusory motion is often used in art and entertainment, such as in animation, film, and video games, to create a sense of movement and to captivate the viewer.
The Rotating Circles illusion is also an example of a geometric illusions.
Geometric illusions are a type of visual illusion that involve distorted or misperceived shapes, patterns, or spatial relationships. These illusions occur because of the way our brain processes and interprets visual information. Our visual system relies on a combination of sensory input and cognitive processing to make sense of the world around us, but sometimes this processing can lead to errors or misperceptions.
How does the Rotating Circles Illusion Work?
The Rotating Circles Illusion is an example of illusory motion. Illusory motion is caused by the way that our brain processes visual information. When we view images, our brain constructs a mental representation of what we are seeing. This representation is based on the input from our eyes, but it is also influenced by our past experiences and expectations.
Illusory motion can occur when our brain processes visual information in a way that creates the perception of movement where there is none. This can happen when the brain is presented with visual stimuli that are ambiguous or incomplete. In these cases, the brain fills in the missing information, sometimes creating a perception of movement.
Illusory motion is a result of the complex interplay between visual input, past experiences, and the brain’s interpretation of that information.
Some Similar Illusions
There are many other types of illusions that are similar to illusory motion in that they involve a discrepancy between what we perceive and what is actually present in the visual input. In addition to the Rotating Circles, here are a few examples:
- Optical illusions: These are images that create a perception of something that isn’t actually there or that distort the way we perceive an object. Examples include the famous “Müller-Lyer illusion,” which makes two lines of equal length appear to be different lengths due to the addition of arrowheads at the ends of the lines.
- Tactile illusions: These illusions involve a discrepancy between what we feel and what is actually happening to our body. One example is the “rubber hand illusion,” in which a person’s brain can be tricked into perceiving a rubber hand as their own due to the synchronous stimulation of both the rubber hand and their real hand.
- Auditory illusions: These illusions involve a discrepancy between what we hear and what is actually present in the auditory input. Examples include the “McGurk effect,” in which the perception of speech sounds can be influenced by the visual input of a speaker’s mouth movements.
- Cognitive illusions: These illusions involve a discrepancy between what we think we know and what is actually true. Examples include the “conjunction fallacy,” in which people tend to believe that a specific combination of characteristics is more likely than a more general category.
- Perceptual constancy illusions: These illusions involve a discrepancy between the perceived size, shape, or color of an object and its actual size, shape, or color. One example is the “size-weight illusion,” in which people tend to perceive smaller objects as heavier than larger objects of equal weight.
There are many different types of geometric illusions, but some common examples include:
- Size illusions: These illusions make objects appear larger or smaller than they actually are. One example is the “Ebbinghaus illusion,” in which a circle appears smaller when surrounded by larger circles, and larger when surrounded by smaller circles.
- Shape illusions: These illusions involve misperceptions of the shapes of objects. One example is the “Müller-Lyer illusion,” in which two lines of the same length appear to be different lengths because of the addition of arrowheads at the ends of the lines.
- Perspective illusions: These illusions create the impression of depth or distance in a two-dimensional image. One example is the “Ponzo illusion,” in which two parallel lines appear to be different lengths because of the addition of converging diagonal lines.
- Contrast illusions: These illusions involve the misperception of brightness or color. One example is the “Simultaneous Contrast illusion,” in which the same color appears different depending on the colors that surround it.
Illusions of various types can be fascinating and informative, as they provide insight into the complex ways in which our brains interpret and process sensory information.
Discovery of the Illusory Motion – Rotating Circles Illusion
The Rotating 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.
Kitaoka’s work has focused on the study of perception, specifically on how the brain processes visual information and creates the experience of seeing. He has developed a number of visual illusions that demonstrate how the brain can be tricked into perceiving things that are not actually there or that are different from reality.
Some of Kitaoka’s most famous illusions include the Rotating Snakes illusion, the Checker Shadow illusion, and his work on the Fraser Spiral illusion. His work has been featured in scientific journals and popular media around the world, and he is considered one of the leading researchers in the field of visual perception.
The study of illusory motion and visual perception is a collaborative and ongoing field of research, with many researchers contributing to our understanding of these complex phenomena.
Geometric illusions like the hexagonal appearance in the rotating circles illusion are also a fascinating and complex area of study within the fields of visual perception and cognitive psychology. They provide insight into the ways in which our brains interpret and process visual information, and can also be used in a variety of practical applications, such as graphic design and architecture.
References and Resources
In addition to the Rotating Circles Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome Moving Dots Illusion and this cool Mona Lisa Bar Illusion and awesome House Painting Illusion