The freezing rotation illusion.
The "freezing rotation illusion" refers to decrease in perceived speed of a continuously rotating central region when a swaying surround co-rotates. We observed the following effects for rotations: First, when the centre and its surround are turning in the same direction, and their velocities are distinguishable, the perceived speed of the centre is lower than its physical speed. Second, when the surround and the centre are counter-rotating, the perceived speed of the centre is enhanced. Third, even when the surface size of the centre matches the surface size of the surround, swaying of the centre is unable to induce significant changes in the perceived speed of the surround, whereas swaying of the surround still induces changes in the perceived speed of the centre.
Dürsteler
Max R
MR
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. max.duersteler@usz.ch
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009038:Motion; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009903:Optical Illusions / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation