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Illusions, Delusions, and Reality

How the brain makes sense of a noisy world

Attention
The Necessity of Multitasking

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on March 28, 2024

Decades of research have pointed out the costs associated with multitasking. But in many daily contexts, multitasking may be the most efficient thing to do.

Decades of research have pointed out the costs associated with multitasking. But in many daily contexts, multitasking may be the most efficient thing to do.

Cognition
How We Perceive Falling and Rising Objects

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

A new study investigated whether the perceived acceleration of an object is influenced by its direction. Findings showed a bias in the perceived acceleration of falling objects.

A new study investigated whether the perceived acceleration of an object is influenced by its direction. Findings showed a bias in the perceived acceleration of falling objects.

Memory
Can We Learn to Draw Faces From Memory?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on December 26, 2023

People find it extremly difficult to draw faces from memory. A new study asked whether using simplified line drawings of faces can improve the accuracy of drawing from memory.

People find it extremly difficult to draw faces from memory. A new study asked whether using simplified line drawings of faces can improve the accuracy of drawing from memory.

Bias
A Bias for the Tops of Objects and Bottoms of Scenes

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on November 28, 2023

A new study shows that we have specific biases to attend to the top parts of objects and the bottom parts of scenes. This bias is also present in children.

A new study shows that we have specific biases to attend to the top parts of objects and the bottom parts of scenes. This bias is also present in children.

Chronic Pain
Can Music Reduce Pain?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on October 29, 2023

Music is often described as medicine for the soul. New research confirms that listening to your favorite tunes can significantly reduce acute pain.

Music is often described as medicine for the soul. New research confirms that listening to your favorite tunes can significantly reduce acute pain.

Cognition
How We Count Hidden Objects

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

Could you determine the contents of a box by shaking it? New research shows how people can use haptic perception to estimate the number of spheres in a box.

Could you determine the contents of a box by shaking it? New research shows how people can use haptic perception to estimate the number of spheres in a box.

Cognition
A New Illusion of Relative Height

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on July 28, 2023

A new illusion called the Box-Circle illusion was reported in which a horizontal arrangement of boxes makes dots appear to be vertically misaligned.

A new illusion called the Box-Circle illusion was reported in which a horizontal arrangement of boxes makes dots appear to be vertically misaligned.

Anger
Do Colors Represent Emotions?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on April 27, 2023

When we hear phrases like, "She's green with envy" or "He's feeling blue," are they linguistic conventions, or is there a deeper relationship between colors and emotions?

When we hear phrases like, "She's green with envy" or "He's feeling blue," are they linguistic conventions, or is there a deeper relationship between colors and emotions?

Synesthesia
Is Synesthesia Learned?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on February 26, 2023

Research reveals that childhood experience with an alphabet toy can have long-term effects on the manifestation of synesthetic experiences.

Research reveals that childhood experience with an alphabet toy can have long-term effects on the manifestation of synesthetic experiences.

Bias
Measuring the Strength of an Illusion

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on January 30, 2023

How can the strength of an illusion be measured? A fun, hands-on group activity on the Ponzo illusion teaches students how to measure individual differences in perception.

How can the strength of an illusion be measured? A fun, hands-on group activity on the Ponzo illusion teaches students how to measure individual differences in perception.

Persuasion
Can Sounds Alter What We See?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on December 30, 2022

New research shows how our visual and auditory senses work together. When categorizing ambiguous visual objects, participants were biased by the sound they heard.

New research shows how our visual and auditory senses work together. When categorizing ambiguous visual objects, participants were biased by the sound they heard.

Persuasion
Are Two Senses Better Than One?

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on October 31, 2022

Many of us are used to multitasking (for example, listening to a podcast while driving). A new study reveals that in certain situations, sounds can impair visual processing.

Many of us are used to multitasking (for example, listening to a podcast while driving). A new study reveals that in certain situations, sounds can impair visual processing.

Priming
The Power of Visual Motion Priming

Nicolas Davidenko Ph.D. on September 6, 2022

You've probably heard of the waterfall illusion. New research shows that a more complex type of motion pattern can also be primed.

You've probably heard of the waterfall illusion. New research shows that a more complex type of motion pattern can also be primed.