Illusory gray spots and diagonal lines on the Hermann grid

AKIRA ISHIGUCHI

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.29.112

AKIRA ISHIGUCHI

Author information

Keywords: Hermann grid, illusion, visual system, orientation, size, Fourier analysis

JOURNALS FREE ACCESS

Volume 29 (1987) Issue 3 Pages 112-119

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.29.112

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Released dates
Released: February 24, 2009 [Advance Publication] Released: - received: September 19, 1986 corrected: - accepted: May 09, 1987
Correction information
Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: TITLE Details: [in Japanese]

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Blalock, H. M. 1962 Four-variable causal models and partial correlations. American Journal of Sociology, 68, 182-194.
De Valois, R. L., & De Valois, K. K. 1980 Spatial vision. Annual Review of Psychology, 31, 309-341.
Hermann, L. 1870 Eine Erscheinung des simultanen Kontrastes. Pflügers Archiv für die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen and der Tiere, 3, 13-45.
Jung, R. 1973 Visual perception and neurophysiology. In R. Jung (Ed.), Central processing of visual information A: integrative functions and comparative data. Berlin: Springer. Pp. 1-152.
Jung, R., & Spillmann, L. 1970 Receptive field estimation and perceptual integration in human vision. In F. A. Young & D. B. Lindsley (Eds.), Early experience and visual information processing in perceptual and reading disorders. Washington, D. C.: National Academy of Science. Pp. 181-197.
Kendall, M., Stuart, A., & Ord, J. K. 1983 The advanced theory of statistics. 4th ed. London: Griffin.
Oyama, T. 1974 Perceived size and perceived distance in stereoscopic vision and analysis of their causal relations. Perception _??_ Psychophysics, 16, 175-181.
Oyama, T. 1977 Analysis of causal relations in the perceptual constancies. In W. Epstein (Ed.), Stability and constancy in visual perception: Mechanisms and processes. New York: John Wiley. Pp. 183-216.
Pinker, S. 1985 Visual cognition: an introduction. In S. Pinker (Ed.), Visual cognition. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press. Pp. 1-63.
Schacher, R. A. 1976 The pincushion grid illusion. Science, 192, 389-390.
Simon, H. A. 1954 Spurious correlation: A causal interpretation. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 49, 467-479.
Spillmann, L. 1971 Forveal perceptive fields in the human visual system measured with simultaneous contrast in grids and bars. Pflügers Archiv für die gesamie Physiologic des Menschen und der Tiere, 326, 281-299.
Spillmann, L. 1977 Kontrastsehen in Helligkeitstauschungen. Habilitationsschrift, Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau, FRG.
Wolfe, J. M. 1984 Global factors in the Hermann grid illusion. Perception, 13, 33-40.

Right : Blalock, H. M. 1962 Four-variable causal models and partial correlations. American Journal of Sociology, 68, 182-194.
De Valois, R. L., & De Valois, K. K. 1980 Spatial vision. Annual Review of Psychology, 31, 309-341.
Hermann, L. 1870 Eine Erscheinung des simultanen Kontrastes. Pflugers Archiv fur die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen und der Tiere, 3, 13-45.
Jung, R. 1973 Visual perception and neurophysiology. In R. Jung (Ed.), Central processing of visual information A: integrative functions and comparative data. Berlin: Springer. Pp.1-152.
Jung, R., & Spillmann, L. 1970 Receptive field estimation and perceptual integration in human vision. In F. A. Young & D. B. Lindsley (Eds.), Early experience and visual information processing in perceptual and reading disorders, Washington, D. C.: National Academy of Science. Pp.181-197.
Kendall, M., Stuart, A., & Ord, J. K. 1983 The advanced theory of statistics. 4th ed. London: Griffin.
Oyama, T. 1974 Perceived size and perceived distance in stereoscopic vision and analysis of their causal relations. Perception & Psychophysics, 16, 175-181.
Oyama, T. 1977 Analysis of causal relations in the perceptual constancies. In W. Epstein (Ed.), Stability and constancy in visual perception: Mechanisms and processes. New York: John Wiley. Pp.183-216.
Pinker, S. 1985 Visual cognition: an introduction. In S. Pinker (Ed.), Visual cognition. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press. Pp.1-63.
Schacher, R. A. 1976 The pincushion grid illusion. Science, 192, 389-390.
Simon, H. A. 1954 Spurious correlation: A causal interpretation. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 49, 467-479.
Spillmann, L. 1971 Forveal perceptive fields in the human visual system measured with simultaneous contrast in grids and bars. Pflugers Archer fur die gesamte Physiologic des Menschen und der Tiere, 326, 281-299.
Spillmann, L. 1977 Kontrastsehen in Helligkeitstauschungen. Habilitationsschrift, Albert-Ludwigs Universitat, Freiburg im Breisgau, FRG. Wolfe, J. M. 1984 Global factors in the Hermann grid illusion. Perception, 13, 33-40.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Blalock, H. M. 1962 Four-variable causal models and partial correlations. American Journal of Sociology, 68, 182-194.
De Valois, R. L., & De Valois, K. K. 1980 Spatial vision. Annual Review of Psychology, 31, 309-341.
Hermann, L. 1870 Eine Erscheinung des simultanen Kontrastes. Pflugers Archiv fur die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen und der Tiere, 3, 13-45.
Jung, R. 1973 Visual perception and neurophysiology. In R. Jung (Ed.), Central processing of visual information A: integrative functions and comparative data. Berlin: Springer. Pp.1-152.
Jung, R., & Spillmann, L. 1970 Receptive field estimation and perceptual integration in human vision. In F. A. Young & D. B. Lindsley (Eds.), Early experience and visual information processing in perceptual and reading disorders, Washington, D. C.: National Academy of Science. Pp.181-197.
Kendall, M., Stuart, A., & Ord, J. K. 1983 The advanced theory of statistics. 4th ed. London: Griffin.
Oyama, T. 1974 Perceived size and perceived distance in stereoscopic vision and analysis of their causal relations. Perception & Psychophysics, 16, 175-181.
Oyama, T. 1977 Analysis of causal relations in the perceptual constancies. In W. Epstein (Ed.), Stability and constancy in visual perception: Mechanisms and processes. New York: John Wiley. Pp.183-216.
Pinker, S. 1985 Visual cognition: an introduction. In S. Pinker (Ed.), Visual cognition. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press. Pp.1-63.
Schacher, R. A. 1976 The pincushion grid illusion. Science, 192, 389-390.
Simon, H. A. 1954 Spurious correlation: A causal interpretation. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 49, 467-479.
Spillmann, L. 1971 Forveal perceptive fields in the human visual system measured with simultaneous contrast in grids and bars. Pflugers Archer fur die gesamte Physiologic des Menschen und der Tiere, 326, 281-299.
Spillmann, L. 1977 Kontrastsehen in Helligkeitstauschungen. Habilitationsschrift, Albert-Ludwigs Universitat, Freiburg im Breisgau, FRG. Wolfe, J. M. 1984 Global factors in the Hermann grid illusion. Perception, 13, 33-40.

Right : Blalock, H. M. 1962 Four-variable causal models and partial correlations. American Journal of Sociology, 68, 182-194.
De Valois, R. L., & De Valois, K. K. 1980 Spatial vision. Annual Review of Psychology, 31, 309-341.
Hermann, L. 1870 Eine Erscheinung des simultanen Kontrastes. Pflügers Archiv für die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen und der Tiere, 3, 13-45.
Jung, R. 1973 Visual perception and neurophysiology. In R. Jung (Ed.), Central processing of visual information A: integrative functions and comparative data. Berlin: Springer. Pp.1-152.
Jung, R., & Spillmann, L. 1970 Receptive field estimation and perceptual integration in human vision. In F. A. Young & D. B. Lindsley (Eds.), Early experience and visual information processing in perceptual and reading disorders. Washington, D. C.: National Academy of Science. Pp.181-197.
Kendall, M., Stuart, A., & Ord, J. K. 1983 The advanced theory of statistics. 4th ed. London: Griffin.
Oyama, T. 1974 Perceived size and perceived distance in stereoscopic vision and analysis of their causal relations. Perception & Psychophysics, 16, 175-181.
Oyama, T. 1977 Analysis of causal relations in the perceptual constancies. In W. Epstein (Ed.), Stability and constancy in visual perception: Mechanisms and processes. New York: John Wiley. Pp.183-216.
Pinker, S. 1985 Visual cognition: an introduction. In S. Pinker (Ed.), Visual cognition. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press. Pp.1-63.
Schacher, R. A. 1976 The pincushion grid illusion. Science, 192, 389-390.
Simon, H. A. 1954 Spurious correlation: A causal interpretation. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 49, 467-479.
Spillmann, L. 1971 Forveal perceptive fields in the human visual system measured with simultaneous contrast in grids and bars. Pflügers Archiv für die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen und der Tiere, 326, 281-299.
Spillmann, L. 1977 Kontrastsehen in Helligkeitstauschungen. Habilitationsschrift, Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau, FRG. Wolfe, J. M. 1984 Global factors in the Hermann grid illusion. Perception, 13, 33-40.

Abstract

The present study examines the causal relationship between the illusory gray spots in the so-called Hermann grid figure and the illusory lines connecting the spots diagonally. Eight university students participated as subjects in two experiments. In Experiment 1, the vividness of illusory lines and the darkness of gray spots were rated together. The stimulus variables were three folds; the number of the grid lines, the thickness of the grid lines and the size of every grid cells. The results showed the independence of the two ratings. The hypothesis of inter-inducing effect between the dots and the diagonal lines was concluded untenable. In Experiment 2, factors influencing the vividness of the diagonal lines were examined. The width-height ratio of the grid cells was found stronger in effect than the size. A mechanism sensitive to the stimulus configuration was suggested taking part in the diagonal illusion.

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