How Optical Illusions Work
Optical illusions, such as the hidden girl challenge, activate the brain’s tendency to fill in gaps in life based on its former experiences and patterns. When we view an image, our brain is consistently trying to give meaning to what it’s looking at, filling in the gaps and associating shapes. The issue is that sometimes our brains make mistakes in these processes.
In the photo, for example, the brain can be tricked with a subtle visual cue: the color or pattern that disguises the girl as to make her stand out and blend into the environment. Our brains rely on shortcuts and assumptions, which could lead them to missing out on these minute details and overlooking the hidden figure.
This knowledge can make us sharper in perceiving how imperfect our vision is. It teaches us to pay closer attention, not to accept anything at face value, and to recognize the imperfections of the human brain. It’s an interesting exploration on how the human brain digests visual information and how easily our perceptions can be swayed.
