Abstract
The Multiple-Faces Configuration Illusion is observed by staring at a black dot while paying attention to a face in the peripheral visual field (Simas, 2000). Changes of facial expressions, movements, depth (EMF) or different face identities (MF) are observed in this illusion. Forty participants took part in the study: 20 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and 20 people helping friends or relatives in a hospital clinic. The face-stimulus was placed in a partition stand and participants instructed to describe any visual event occurring during 90 s, one eye at a time. Results showed that 100% of women in the experimental group (EG) reported perceiving events related to MF with the left eye. Significantly fewer women saw these events with the right eye. Also, fewer men in the experimental group and men and women in the control group saw these events with either eye.
Highlights
The Multiple-Faces Configuration (MFC) illusion (Simas, 2000; Simas & Santos, 2005) is observed when a face is presented almost anywhere in peripheral vision
We considered only reports falling in categories three and/or four as perception of the MFC illusion
The difference between the LE and the RE for females in the experimental group (EG) was significant (p = .04). When both categories were taken together, EMF + MF, 100% women in the EG reported events related to the illusion with the LE, contrary to 100% men of the same group that did so with the RE (p = .03)
Summary
The Multiple-Faces Configuration (MFC) illusion (Simas, 2000; Simas & Santos, 2005) is observed when a face is presented almost anywhere in peripheral vision. Category EMF refers to prior category three for events occurring within the face-stimulus such as changes in: (a) facial expressions; (b) facial movements or (c) perceived facial depth; whereas category MF refers to prior category four for the perception of events such as: (a) changes in the hair outline; (b) changes of gender, age or orientation, etc.; (c) new characteristics such as the outline of beard or moustache; and, more important, (d) intermittent or continuous changes of face identities, for as long as the observer wishes to stare. Since the experiment required that all volunteers could perceive and report the MFC illusion, the exclusion criteria was not having perceived or being unable to report the illusion during this screening test
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