Can you see circles or rectangles? And does the answer depend on where you grew up? | Anil Seth
Briefly

Recent studies indicate that cultural context shapes visual perception. One study found that individuals in Western contexts, such as the UK and US, commonly perceive the Coffer illusion as rectangles, while rural Namibians predominantly see circles. These differences are attributed to the environments each group inhabits. Western environments feature geometric shapes, while Namibian surroundings consist of curves and less angular structures. However, another study challenges the idea of environmental influence on perception with regard to the Müller-Lyer illusion, suggesting a complex relationship between culture and visual cognition.
People in the UK and US perceive visual illusions, like the Coffer illusion, predominantly as rectangles, while rural Namibians often see them as circles due to environmental influences.
The study conducted by Ivan Kroupin suggests that environmental exposure in western societies, characterized by structured environments, influences how visual perception is developed.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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