Objective 36: Explain the relationship between size constancy and the

Muller-Lyer illusion.

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Size constancy is when the size of objects are constant, even when the size of
the object on the retina are different because of the distance. In the Muller-Lyer illusion,
in the top picture, it looks as though the lines are different lengths because of the way
the arrows are pointing. In the bottom picture the dotted lines on the sides are showing
that the solid red lines are equal in length. Because of size constancy, people think that
the lines are different lengths. It tricks the mind like an optical illusion does.
Artifacts:
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic1148010.files/Slater%20Mattock%20Brown
%201990%20Size%20constancy%20at%20birth%20%20%20newborn
%20infants%20responses%20to%20retinal%20and%20real%20size.pdf
Harvard did two experiments with newborn infants concerning size constancy. The goal
of the experiments was to see if newborn babies have to ability to see an objects real
size across changes in distance or if it appears as an illusion to them. In the
experiments it was confirmed that size constancy is present at birth.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/are-optical-illusions-cultural-6633978/?noist
Adam Alter, a marketing and psychology professor had a hypothesis that optical
illusions are cultural. Researchers when around the world, using the Muller-Lyer illusion
and showed it to different cultures. The hypothesis was true. Different cultures saw the
illusion differently than some other cultures. Alter concluded that in the United States,
we are used to seeing straight lines more than some other cultures, that we have more
Geometric experience than other cultures. This is hypothesis is falling apart as other
cultures grow and change.