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Inversion produces opposite size illusions for faces and food
Henry Millbank1, Eamonn Walsh2, Matthew R Longo1
1Birkbeck, University of London, UK.
Perception
|March 21, 2025
Summary
A face size illusion makes upright faces look smaller than inverted ones. This study found food items show the opposite effect, appearing larger when upright, suggesting distinct visual processing for faces and food.
Area of Science:
- Visual Perception
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Face perception relies on specialized visual mechanisms.
- Previous research identified a face-specific size illusion where upright faces appear smaller than inverted ones.
- Food stimuli also engage specialized visual processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a size inversion illusion occurs for food stimuli.
- To compare the face size illusion with potential illusions in food perception.
- To further elucidate the face-specific nature of the known face size illusion.
Main Methods:
- Replication of the face size illusion experiment.
- Presentation of upright and inverted food items and everyday objects.
- Participant judgment of perceived size.
Main Results:
- The face size illusion was replicated: upright faces appeared smaller than inverted faces.
- Food items and everyday objects exhibited an opposite illusion: upright stimuli appeared larger than inverted stimuli.
- These findings highlight differential size perception effects based on stimulus category.
Conclusions:
- The face size illusion is highly specific to faces.
- A distinct size illusion affects the visual perception of food, with upright items appearing larger.
- These results underscore the specialized and category-specific nature of visual processing in the human brain.
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