Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...

Chirality in Nature

Chirality in Nature

Chirality is the most intriguing yet essential facet of nature, governing life’s biochemical processes and precision. It can be observed from a snail shell pattern in a macroscopic world to an amino acid, the minutest building block of life. Most of the snails around the world have right-coiled shells because of the intrinsic chirality in their genes. All the amino acids present in the human body exist in an enantiomerically pure state, except for glycine - the sole achiral amino acid. The...

Anatomical Movements

Anatomical Movements

Anatomical movements refer to the various actions or motions that can be performed by the body's joints and muscles. These movements are described using specific terms to provide a standardized way of discussing and understanding the range of motion at different joints.
Here are some common anatomical movements:
Flexion and extension motions are in the sagittal (anterior–posterior) plane of motion. These movements take place at the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist, metacarpophalangeal,...

Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity

Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity

A stroke engine has a slider-crank mechanism that converts rotational motion from the crank into linear motion of the slider or vice versa. This mechanism consists of three main parts: the crank, the connecting rod, and the slider.
When an external force is exerted, it sets the crank into a rotational movement. This, in turn, instigates the motion of the connecting rod, leading to what is referred to as a general plane motion. This process involves two key points - point A on the connecting rod...

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Individual Observer Differences in the Use of Form and Motion to Perceive the Actor's Sex in Biological Motion Displays.

Perceptual and motor skills·2021

Same author

The Misperception of Orientation in Depth When Processing Multiple Pictures With Linear Perspective Cues.

Perception·2021

Same author

Perspective Illusions Based On Convergence Vectors.

Perception·2019

Same author

Biological Form is Sufficient to Create a Biological Motion Sex Aftereffect.

Perception·2016

Same author

Neural Estimates of Imagined Outcomes in Basolateral Amygdala Depend on Orbitofrontal Cortex.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2015

Same author

Orbitofrontal cortex supports behavior and learning using inferred but not cached values.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2012

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

A Versatile, Behavioral Method to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Effects on Cerebellar Function

A Versatile, Behavioral Method to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Effects on Cerebellar Function

Published on: October 6, 2023

The Thatcher effect in biological motion.

Aaron Mirenzi¹, Eric Hiris

¹St Mary's College of Maryland, 18952 E Fisher Road, St Mary's City, Maryland 20686-3001, USA.

|February 8, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Thatcher effect, a facial distortion illusion, is demonstrated in biological motion. This phenomenon arises from the dynamic movement cues, not static features, within the display.

More Related Videos

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

Controlled Rotation of Human Observers in a Virtual Reality Environment

Controlled Rotation of Human Observers in a Virtual Reality Environment

Published on: April 21, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

A Versatile, Behavioral Method to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Effects on Cerebellar Function

A Versatile, Behavioral Method to Investigate Thyroid Hormone Effects on Cerebellar Function

Published on: October 6, 2023

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Corticospinal Excitability Modulation During Action Observation

Published on: December 31, 2013

Controlled Rotation of Human Observers in a Virtual Reality Environment

Controlled Rotation of Human Observers in a Virtual Reality Environment

Published on: April 21, 2022

Area of Science:

Cognitive psychology
Neuroscience
Visual perception

Background:

The Thatcher effect is a well-documented facial distortion illusion.
Previous research has primarily focused on static facial stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and characteristics of the Thatcher effect in biological-motion displays.
To determine whether dynamic or static cues are primarily responsible for the illusion in this context.

Main Methods:

Presentation of biological-motion point-light displays.
Systematic manipulation of facial features within these displays (e.g., inverted eyes and mouth).
Participant ratings of perceived facial normalcy or distortion.

Main Results:

The Thatcher effect was successfully demonstrated in biological-motion displays.
The illusion was significantly more pronounced when motion cues were present compared to static configurations.
Static inversion of facial features had a diminished impact on perception in the absence of motion.

Conclusions:

Dynamic motion cues are the primary drivers of the Thatcher effect in biological-motion perception.
This finding suggests distinct neural processing pathways for static and dynamic facial information.
Future research should explore the role of motion in other visual illusions and facial recognition processes.