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Related Experiment Videos

The golf-ball illusion: evidence for top-down processing in weight perception

R R Ellis1, S J Lederman

  • 1Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. ellisr@pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca

Perception
|August 26, 1998
PubMed
Summary
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Knowledge and experience significantly influence weight perception, creating illusions. Golfers perceived practice balls as heavier than real ones, demonstrating a top-down effect in weight illusions.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Traditional theories of weight illusions focus on sensory cues or expectations from past experiences.
  • Current models predominantly favor sensory-based explanations for weight illusions.
  • This study investigates the role of prior knowledge in generating weight illusions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test whether specific knowledge (golfers' expectations) can create a weight illusion.
  • To determine if sensory cues alone can explain weight illusions.
  • To explore the top-down influence of experience on weight perception.

Main Methods:

  • Participants included golfers (with expected weight differences) and non-golfers (without expected differences).
  • Participants lifted and judged the relative weights of practice and real golf balls.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Correlation analysis was performed between expected weight discrepancy and reported illusion strength.

    • Main Results:

    • Golfers consistently judged practice balls as heavier than real balls of identical weight.
    • Non-golfers perceived no significant weight difference between the two types of balls.
    • A stronger expectation of weight discrepancy among golfers correlated with a stronger illusion.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings challenge purely sensory-based models of weight illusions.
    • Knowledge and experience play a crucial top-down role in weight perception.
    • Weight illusions can be driven by cognitive expectations rather than solely by sensory input.