In: Biology
What do visual illusions tell us about sensory processing?
When visualising any picture there is a prior form of assumption in the strategies of processing the intensity distribution in the retinal component along with a distribution of intensity. The visual system has to be comparing different aspects of a scene to form a mental image. Perceptual illusions explain the manner in which the visual processing is shaped. When there is presence of an area of visible illumination the observer would be able to differentiate the three elements of which are apparent intensity, brightness contrast as well as apparent reflectance. Also, when there is reduction of proper illumination, this dimension only reduces to two dimensions in place of three.
This shows that visual system is not the absolute truth and it is highly dependent on the interpretation of the brain and this would be different from person to person. The perception of illusion is not dependent on the eye optics completely, but on the brain perception. Illusion occurs when there is a mismatch in thermal properties of one object and the visual impression that a person gets. This shows that even when a person sees exactly what is shown, it might be completely wrong.