The emergent property of border-ownership and the perception of illusory surfaces in a dynamic hierarchical system
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
1a Laboratory of Experimental Psychology , University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.
Abstract:
We argued that borderline completion does not explain the completion, that the computation of border-ownership (BOWN) causes illusory signals, and that neurons activated at illusory contours represent BOWN. Although most commentaries show support to our view, they further emphasized the importance of feedback and also pointed out some examples challenging our view. The signal processing in the hierarchy and the classification of neurons are also discussed. In this reply, we explain our position on a dynamic feedback system reflecting the global configuration, and clarify our view on completion, by examining the example figures and neurophysiological data indicated in the commentaries.
Related Concept Videos
Gestalt Principles of Perception
Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Perceptual Constancy
Size constancy is the recognition that an object remains the same size, even when its image on the retina changes. For instance, a bus is perceived to be large enough to carry people, even if it looks tiny from...
Visual System
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...
Boundary Layer Characteristics
Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model

