Expanding Universe Illusion.

David Phillips,Priscilla Heard,Christopher W Tyler

doi:10.1177/2041669519853848

Abstract

We present a new induced movement illusion from global expansion or contraction in a triangular region filled with rising or falling textures. Objective global expansion or contraction induces lateral movement in the oblique edges of the triangle. The effects may be due to common and relative movements operating within a single texture.

Highlights

We present a new induced movement illusion from global expansion or contraction in a triangular region filled with rising or falling textures
Nawrot and Sekuler (1990) studied the conditions in which test elements moved with or against their surround. The latter are more typical (e.g., Nakayama & Tyler, 1978), but in the illusion reported here, the oblique edges move with the direction of the inducing field
The illusion is an outgrowth of an effect reported by two of us in a study of certain novelty rings (Heard & Phillips, 2015) and enhanced in a shortlisted entry to the Best Visual Illusion of the Year Contest in 2017

Summary

Introduction

We present a new induced movement illusion from global expansion or contraction in a triangular region filled with rising or falling textures. In this new illusion of induced movement, the oblique edges of a triangular patch of moving texture appear to expand (or contract) laterally as the texture within it expands (or contracts). The latter are more typical (e.g., Nakayama & Tyler, 1978), but in the illusion reported here, the oblique edges move with the direction of the inducing field.

Results

Conclusion