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Spatial properties of scintillating grid illusion through visual experiments and numerical simulations.
Masaki Mori1, Takamichi Sushida2, Shintaro Kondo3
1Center for Data Science, Waseda University, Nishi-Waseda 1-6-1, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, 169-8050, Japan.
Vision Research
|February 9, 2025
Summary
The scintillating grid illusion, a visual phenomenon, appears stronger in peripheral vision and exhibits spatial anisotropy. This means its perceived area differs horizontally versus vertically, confirmed by experiments and simulations.
Area of Science:
- Visual Perception
- Computational Neuroscience
- Mathematical Modeling
Background:
- The scintillating grid illusion is a complex visual phenomenon involving illusory percepts.
- Previous research has explored its characteristics, but detailed spatial properties remain under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial properties of the scintillating grid illusion.
- To determine if the illusion exhibits spatial anisotropy under different viewing conditions.
- To refine a mathematical model of retinal processing to explain the illusion's spatial characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Three visual experiments were conducted to assess the illusion's occurrence and extent in peripheral vision.
- Experiments involved varying viewing angles, orientations (horizontal and vertical), and viewing conditions (binocular and monocular).
- Numerical simulations using differential equations were employed to model retinal information processing.
Main Results:
- The scintillating grid illusion was perceived more strongly at greater horizontal viewing angles in peripheral vision.
- The illusion's perceived area was larger in the horizontal orientation compared to the vertical orientation under both binocular and monocular viewing.
- Numerical simulations aligned with experimental findings, suggesting blurring and inhibitory effects contribute to the illusion's spatial properties.
Conclusions:
- The scintillating grid illusion demonstrates significant spatial anisotropy, with distinct horizontal and vertical extents.
- This anisotropy is present irrespective of whether viewing is binocular or monocular.
- An improved mathematical model incorporating blurring and inhibition successfully replicates the observed spatial properties.
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