Orthogonal Expansion: A Neglected Factor in Tilt Illusions J. Ninio & B. Pinna |
A broad collection of illusions belonging to the Zollner and the Poggendorff
families, including new variants - in particular, tilted and tilting squares - ate
examined in the light of two possible formal principles : a principle of regression to
right angles {RRA} and a principle of "orthogonal expansion", which is a perceptual
expansion of the extent perpendicularly to the inducing lines. The domains of
validity of the two principles arc compared. We propose that RRA is more pertinent
when the target line is explicitely present and makes real intersections with the
inducing Lines. Orthogonal expansion can produce RRA as a side-effect. It would
be more pertinent when there are several parallel or nearly parallel inducing lines,
and it does not require the presence of a real target. Both principles may be
grounded on neurophysiological mechanisms. Orientation detectors would
influence each other in the orientation domain, generating RRA and accounting for
the illusions of the Poggendorff family. They would also influence each other in the
extent domain, generating orthogonal expansion, and accounting for the illusions of
the Zollner family. Key wards: tilt illusions, tilting squares, Zollner illusion, Poggendorff illusion, orthogonal expansion |