Size and position are incongruous: Measurements on the Müller-Lyer figure

The congruence between perception of position and perception of size was measured for MüllerLyer figures. Subjects were able to set a computer-controlled dot below each apex of the illusion figures with very slight error. Under the same stimulus conditions, large size illusions were obtained as expected. Not only does this finding rule out many explanations of the Müller-Lyer illusion, but it also shows that size cannot be derived from a representation of spatial positions. In a second experiment, using brief exposures and a staircase technique, systematic position errors were found. These did not account in either magnitude or direction for the size illusions obtained for the same figures.

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