Anyone who has ever been to a magician’s show has had a moment where they wonder if what they’re seeing is real. Many times, what is truly occurring is simply an optical illusion. While sometimes found in nature, optical illusions are more often the domain of sleight-of-hand or “sorcery” experts, used to amaze crowds and earn applause. How, then, would scientists be able to use these same tricks in any meaningful way?
Scientists at the University of Delaware have developed a new version of the “mirror box” illusion to help them map how the brain processes sensory data that allows us to perceive our bodies and our external environment. Their new illusion uses proprioception, which is our so-called “sixth sense” that allows our bodies to determine where they are in space (e.g., how you know where your nose and ears are even with your eyes closed).
