Role of pre-embedded associated memory in generation of optical illusions

Krishanu Kumar

Abstract

This paper focuses on how our pre-embedded associated memories take part in the generation of optical illusions. According to this study optical illusions are more related to associate memories of brain, rather than optical factors. Associated memory means sets of memories associated with different objects and situations. For that, whenever we see a cup, we expect to see 'tea' or 'coffee' within it. Or whenever we look at the sky we anticipate to see 'stars' or 'clouds' in it. Retrieval of these associated memories may be triggered reflexively. Optical illusion takes the route to deceive the retrieval of the firmly embedded associated memory. Whenever we see an image, we cannot concentrate on every point of it. We concentrate our vision on a particular point, which is known as focal point. Our peripheral vision is partly constructed on imagination from experience and understanding of overall impression of the image. Our focal vision though challenges impossibility, our peripheral vision does not challenge impossibility, instead it lies between possibility and impossibility. In case of a firmly pre-embedded associated memory, our mind often perceives the image according to the pre-instituted memory and knowledge, rather than actual image, particularly in peripheral vision.