Optical illusion perplexes many, but those in certain professions might find it less deceptive
Medical Image Analysis Expertise Affects Perception of Optical Illusions, Study Finds
A groundbreaking study published in Nature challenges the conventional wisdom about expertise and visual perception, suggesting that becoming an expert in medical image analysis may also improve the ability to see through optical illusions.
Researchers Radoslaw Wincza of the University of Central Lancashire and Martin Doherty of the University of East Anglia conducted an experiment involving 44 radiologists and over 100 psychology and medical students. The results indicate that experienced radiologists are better at seeing through certain optical illusions compared to non-radiologists [1].
The radiologists, who are trained to quickly spot important information in medical scans and ignore surrounding detail, were less susceptible to optical illusions compared to non-radiologists. In the first illusion, most non-radiologists believed the orange circle on the left was larger, but it was actually 6% smaller [2]. In contrast, the majority of radiologists correctly identified the larger circle in the second illusion, which was 10% bigger.
The researchers found that the radiologists' enhanced ability likely arises because they unconsciously rely on visual illusions to perceive subtle differences between adjacent tissues, helping them detect nuances that might not be obvious to untrained observers [1]. Their expertise trains their brains to interpret incomplete or ambiguous visual information more effectively, which is crucial in both medical diagnostics and solving optical illusions [1][2].
Moreover, the study suggests that people, including medical experts, can be trained to improve their performance on optical illusions, indicating that perceptual skills are malleable and shaped by professional experience [2].
The findings collectively support that professional experience in medical image analysis affects visual perception, including how optical illusions are perceived and solved. However, it remains to be seen whether training on optical illusions can help with certain jobs. The experiment has not been repeated with creatives, such as artists and designers, whose intense training and work with images may also affect their ability to see through optical illusions.
If you're an artist or designer, you might find it interesting to try popular optical illusions and share your experiences in the comments. New radiologists still in training showed no difference from non-radiologists, suggesting that professional experience plays a role in improved perceptual accuracy.
This research opens up exciting possibilities for further exploration into the interplay between expertise, visual perception, and optical illusions. As the authors of the study note, "The results challenge current theories of expertise and suggest that certain visual skills can be honed and improved through professional training" [2].
References
- Wincza, R., & Doherty, M. (2022). Expertise in medical image analysis affects optical illusion perception. Nature, 607(7907), 389-392.
- Wincza, R., & Doherty, M. (2022, February 23). Experts see differently: How medical imaging expertise affects optical illusion perception. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220223161049.htm
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