1. Education

The Kanizsa Triangle Illusion

Understanding the Kanizsa Triangle

The Kanizsa Triangle is an optical illusion in which a triangle is perceived even though it is not actually there.
Kanizsa Triangle

In the Kanizsa Triangle, illusory contours create the illusion of an equilateral triangle.

Image from the Wikimedia Commons

The Kanizsa Triangle illusion was first described in 1955 by an Italian psychologist named Gaetano Kanizsa. In the illusion, a white equilateral triangle can be seen in the image even though there is not actually a triangle there. The effect is caused by illusory or subject contours.

Gestalt psychologists use this illusion to describe the law of closure, one of the gestalt laws of perceptual organization. According to this principle, objects that are grouped together tend to be seen as being part of a whole. We tend to ignore gaps and perceive the contour lines in order to make the image appear as a cohesive whole.

Reference:

Kanizsa, G. (1955). Margini quasi-percettivi in campi con stimolazione omogenea. Rivista di Psicologia 49(1): 7?30

6 of 6

Gallery Index: Optical Illusions
Kendra Cherry

Kendra Cherry
Psychology Guide

  • Sign up for My Newsletter
See More About
  • kanizsa triangle
  • optical illusions
  • gestalt psychology
Top Related Searches equilateral triangle kanizsa triangle laws of perceptual organization gestalt psychologists contour lines gestalt laws
  1. black-rose-bielefeld.de
  2. Education
  3. Psychology
  4. |
  5. Psychology Homework

©2022 black-rose-bielefeld.de. All rights reserved.