Method
Aim - To determine the extent of Muller- Lyer Illusion on the subject by the method of
average error.
Plan - To administer the Muller- Lyer Illusion test on the subject by the method of average
error. Ascending and descending series to be done alternately, where subject moves the
featherhead to make the variable line equal to the standard line.
Materials required -
Muller Lyer illusion board
Writing materials
Norms
Manual
Variables
Independent variable – the direction in which the subject varies the length of the variable line.
Dependent variable – The error committed by the subject.
Demographic details of the participant
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Educational qualifications:
Procedure
The subject is seated comfortably in a well-lit and ventilated room. Rapport is built. The
apparatus is placed at a distance of two feet from the subject and the Muller lyer Illusion
Board is adjusted to the eye level of the subject. The subject is shown the standard and
variable lines and the movable featherhead.
There are two types of series; ascending and descending. For ascending series, keep the
variable line definitely shorter than the standard line. Instruct the subject to slowly increase
the length of the variable line, till he/she feels it is equal to the standard line. When the
subject stops moving, the length of the variable line adjusted as equal to the standard line is
noted down with the help of the scale provided behind the apparatus, by the experimenter.
Ten trials are given.
For descending series, the same is followed but the length of the variable line is kept
definitely longer than the standard line. The subject is instructed to slowly decrease the length
of the variable line till he/she feels it is equal to the standard line. The length of the variable
line adjusted as equal to the standard line is noted down with the help of the scale behind the
apparatus by the experimenter. Ten trials are given here also.
Instructions
“You are about to start the test of Muller lyer illusion. Please see to it that the board is
adjusted to your eye level. It is not a time bound test. The line between the two arrow heads is
the standard line and its length remains constant. The line between the two feather- heads is
the variable line and its length can be varied by manipulation. There are two types of series;
ascending and descending. In ascending series, the variable line is held shorter than the
standard line. Slowly increase the length of the variable line till you feel it is equal to
the standard line. In ascending series, the variable line is held larger than the standard line.
Slowly decrease the length of the variable line till you feel it is equal to the standard line. It is
not a time bound test. You may move the featherhead in only one direction. You can take
your time, and move the featherhead in whichever pace you desire but it is preferable that
you don’t stop in between while moving it. If you have any clarifications, you may ask me.”
Precautions
Ensure that the room is well lit.
Make sure rapport is built properly and the subject has understood the instructions clearly.
The variable line should be held definitely longer than standard line in the descending
series and vice versa.
It must be ensured that the subject does not have any visual impairment.
The featherhead must be moved in only one direction.
The starting point of the variable line must vary from trial to trial.
The distance between the subject and the apparatus should be two feet and must remain
the constant throughout the experiment.
The board must be equal to the subject’s eye level.
The starting point of the variable line should vary from trial to trial to avoid habituation.
The variable line should be held definitely longer in the descending series and shorter in
the ascending series.
Analysis
The subject’s judgement of the length of the variable line is noted by the experimenter for
each trial in both the series. This is the point of subjective equality (PSE), the points at which
variable line is equal to standard line. The point of objectivity (POE) is the standard line
which is 16cms. It is where the standard line and variable line in reality will be equal.
The mean PSE is calculated for each series.
The constant error (CE) is calculated in each series.
CE (Asc) = Mean PSE (Asc) - (POE)
CE (Des) = Mean PSE (Des) - (POE)
Calculate the Mean CE
Mean CE = CE (Asc.) + CE (Des) / 2
The movement error (ME) is calculated by using the formula
Mean PSE (Des) - Mean PSE (Asc) / 2
Results and discussions
The aim of the test is to determine the extent of Muller- Lyer Illusion on the subject by the
method of average error. The hypothesis of the test is that the extent of illusion varies with
the direction of movement. This study was conducted on the subject, (Name) to assess
whether she is susceptible to Muller Lyer illusion, if so whether the extend of it varies with
direction of movement. (Background and contextual information’s)
Table 1
Scores of the participant for the Muller Lyer illusion test for both ascending and descending
series respectively
Trial no Ascending series Descending series
9
10
PSE PS
Mean -- --
Point of subjective equality are the scores of the subject for the ascending and descending
series The mean PSE (Point of subjective equality) is calculated for both series. The POE
(Point of objective equality) is the length of the standard line, which is 16 cm.
Constant error (CE) is the extent of the deviation caused due to the illusion from the POE (16
cm). It is calculated separately for both ascending and descending series. It is a constant error
running across all trials.
CE = Mean PSE (asc)- 16 cm
CE = Mean PSE (des)- 16 cm
The mean CE is calculated using the CE for the ascending and descending series respectively.
Mean CE = CE (Asc.) + CE (Des) / 2
Since the mean CE is negative, the subject has underestimated the length of the variable line.
And if the CE is positive the subject has overestimated the length of variable line. This is due
to the misperception of the variable line being equal to the standard line when in reality it is
shorter or longer than 16 cm. Since the mean CE is less than zero, or greater than zero the
subject is prone to Muller Lyer Illusion.
Movement error is the error in the movement pattern while moving the featherhead. It is
calculated using the mean PSE for both the series.
Movement error = Mean PSE des- Mean PSE asc / 2
If the movement error is negative, it can be concluded that the extent of illusion is higher in
descending series for the subject. If it’s positive then it could be concluded that that the extent
of illusion is higher in ascending series for the subject Thus, we can conclude that the results
support the hypothesis of the test which is, the extent of illusion varies with the direction of
movement.
Few evidence in general or examples to substantiate the conclusion
Conclusion
The subject is prone to Muller Lyer illusion.
The subject showed underestimation of the length of the standard line.
The extent of illusion is higher in descending series.
