1. Glutaphos BBC Website
Brain Museum

2. The elephant has been drawn in such a way that the number of legs cannot be counted. If you’re feeling confused, don’t worry too much. This is an example of a visual illusion called literal optical illusion wherein it is designed to mislead or deceive our brains. The reason why we feel a sense of confusion is that the image contradicts the data stored in our brains--- that all elephants have four legs.

3. HOW MANY BLACK DOTS CAN YOU FIND IN THE IMAGE?
Note that the image is static and that the dots are not moving. This is an example of a physiological illusion. The reason why we see that the dots are moving is mainly caused by the alternating patterns of the image. This pattern then brings about excessive stimulation on our eyes that affect our brains.

4. IS THE LEFT CENTER CIRCLE LARGER THAN THE RIGHT CENTER CIRCLE IN THE IMAGE ?
No, this is an optical illusion: both center circles have the same size. This is an example of a cognitive illusion. With limited data, our brain can only make assumptions. In this image, if we don’t take the time to make an actual physical measurement of the center circles, we automatically assume that the left center circle is larger. And this assumption is based on making a quick comparison of the sizes of the circles surrounding both center circles.

5. HOW OLD DO YOU THINK THE WOMAN IN THE PICTURE IS?
You can see both a young girl and old woman in the image. The ear of the girl is the eye of the woman and the necklace of the girl is the mouth of the woman. This is an example of a perceptual illusion. Although we see the image as a whole, our brains automatically processes the image in order to make meaning out of it. So to make meaning out of this image, our brains need to switch back and forth from making it into an image of a young woman to an image of an old one.

6. HOW MANY ANIMALS CAN YOU SEE?
You can see both a rabbit’s head and a duck’s head in the image. The beak of the duck forms the ears of the rabbit. This is another example of a perceptual illusion. So the next time we think you get into an argument or heated discussion, think again. Try to see what the other person is seeing so you can have a better understanding of where the other person is coming from.

7. ARE THE HORIZONTAL LINES PARALLEL OR ARE THEY SLANTING OR CURVED IN THE IMAGE BELOW?
The horizontal lines are exactly straight and parallel! This is an example of a geometrical illusion. Such an illusion is characterized by distortions of size, length, position, and curvature. In this image, since the vertical lines are not perfectly aligned, then it gives a distortion on how we see the horizontal lines.