This surprising illusion by mathematician and artist Kokichi Sugihara, named the 2016 Illusion of the Year, highlights the critical importance of perspective diversity and open conversation.
visual-illusions
Is your brain ready for Monday? Tease your mind with these four optical illusions
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A great way to learn more about our brains and minds is to look at how we can trick them–that is, to see how we react to brain teasers and visual illusions.
Below are four fun optical illusions that let us learn about our visual system…ready?
(answers and explanations at the bottom)
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Test your brain and mind with these nine classic optical Illusions
Are the two orange circles of the same size?
One way to learn more about our brains and minds is to look at how we can trick them–that is, to see how we react to brain teasers and visual illusions.
The brain has two hemispheres, each divided into four lobes. Each lobe is (largely) responsible for different functions. For instance the frontal cortex (in yellow) is responsible for decision making and planning; the temporal lobe (in purple) for language and memory; the parietal lobe (in green) for spatial skills, and the occipital lobe (in red) is entirely devoted to vision: It is thus the place where visual illusions happen..
Below are 9 optical illusions that combine fun and learning about our visual system. We know you know there is a trick since these are illusions… but don’t try to be smarter than your brain. Enjoy being surprised!
(You’ll find answers and explanations at the end of the article)
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[Read more…] about Test your brain and mind with these nine classic optical Illusions
Visual illusions to tease our brains and minds
Why Optical Illusions Like These Make Your Brain Go Haywire (Wired):
“University of Bristol researchers discovered this illusion in the early 1970s while looking at the tiled wall of a café. Hence the name, Café Wall Illusion. The gray lines in between the rows of white and black squares seem to converge, but they are actually parallel. Your brain, overwhelmed by the intense and closely-spaced black-and-white contrasts, sees the gray lines as part of the tile either above or below it. The lines end up appearing higher on alternating sides, creating the trapezoidal illusion.”
More visual illusions and brain teasers:
Tease your mind with visual illusions
This is one of the Winners of the 2014 Best Illusion of The Year Contest. Enjoy!
Explanation: [Read more…] about Tease your mind with visual illusions
Update: Four Essential Yet Overlooked Facts About Your Brain
Time for SharpBrains’ December 2013 e‑newsletter, featuring a variety of resources, brain teasers and articles. Enjoy the reading…and Happy Holidays!
Featured resources:
- Article: 4 Essential (and Overlooked) Facts About Your Brain and Your Mind (via Creativity Post)
- Video: How to Optimize Brain Health and Performance at Any Age (via New York Public Library and YouTube)
- Book discount: The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness via Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk (discount expires this Sunday, December 22nd!)
Brain teasers:
- Brain teasers to understand and boost cognitive abilities
- Test your Brain with these Teasers and Visual Illusions
Research and industry news:
- Neuroeducation: Top findings to update education and learning
- Debunking the left-brain/ right-brain myth
- Study: Does Mindfulness Meditation training help adults with ADHD?
- Study: Questioning the cognitive benefits of music classes
- Understanding the impact of concussions on the brain
- Rosetta Stone to buy Vivity Labs, developer of Fit Brains brain training games
Please remember that we are hosting a number of webchats in January to discuss your impressions and questions about The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness: How to Optimize Brain Health and Performance at Any Age (284 pages; 2013), so we hope you can spend some time reading the book over the holidays, and perhaps even discuss it with friends and relatives.
We wish you Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2014!