Understanding the Cognitive Process of the Human Visual System by Analysing Illusions Generated Using A Visual Characteristics Tester
Abstract
Laiyou Huang
Despite advances in vision research, how people see objects remains unclear. In this study, a WT5518 Visual Characteristics Tester imitating an electric fan was developed and used to investigate visual cognition. The tester could induce various visual illusions. Analysis of these visual illusions revealed that the human visual system consists of the high- and low-speed visual subsystems, in which the visual brain processes visual information from the high- and low- speed visual pathways, and consciousness recognizes visual information from the visual brain. The two subsystems are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other, however, at some speeds, there is an intersection between the two subsystems. Furthermore, human vision comprises two states, i.e. the visual “filming state,” and “staring state.” During the “filming state,” consciousness captures and recognizes images from the high- and low- speed visual brain simultaneously, so, at this moment the individual can see the surrounding scenes. During the “staring state,” consciousness does not capture any images, thus, at this moment the individual cannot see the surrounding scenes. Ultimately, visual information is discrete and intermittent. In the “staring state,” vision stares at the images taken previously, therefore, the intermittence of visual information can hardly be perceived. Alternation of the two visual states endows human vision with frequency characteristics. The frequency at which consciousness samples visual information is 100 Hz. The cognitive behavior of people’s vision is synchronous. Both high- and low-speed vision subsystems can create illusions but only high-speed vision can create afterimages. This study provides a foundation for cognitive research.