Psychological Article: Difference between Hallucination and Optical Illusion

15 Mar Psychological Article: Difference between Hallucination and Optical Illusion

Psychedelic Optical Illusion

Psychological Article by Boomeryearbook.com

Why we do not see separate static images instead of moving, walking, talking people in the motion pictures? Why does the silver feel cooler than the table cloth at our dinner table? We often wonder and long for a logical reason. Psychological articles tell us these perceptions are due to illusions which are experienced by many and yet fully understood by few. Optical illusions are faulty perceptions in selected situations, conditions, and circumstances and can occur naturally in nature, or be purposely generated.

In both illusion and hallucination an individual is experiencing or viewing something that is not “objectively” real. Often illusions and hallucinations are confused as one or as being connected, however, psychological articles tell us there are several important differences. Our sensory receptors are designed to detect a particular form of energy in order to send signals to the brain. These signals are made meaningful as sensations and perceptions only when the brain interprets them. At times these interpretations can be inaccurate and create what we call illusions. Illusions show us something very different from the actual as they result from a poor interpretation of the sensory stimulus, but they can happen when the external stimulus is there. In short, optical illusions are a result of misperceptions or perceptions which are essentially different from the “external” reality.

Hallucinations on the other hand, are quite different from illusions. Illusions are usually mutually experienced by numerous people viewing the stimuli, while a hallucination is experienced by an individual. Where an online optical illusion is a misrepresentation of a stimulus, a hallucination is a “unique, phantom” perception without any external stimulus as a hallucination is a projection of something internally generated that doesn’t exist in external reality. Psychological articles inform us that oftentimes hallucinations result from a psychotic psychological disorder such as schizophrenia or a drug induced psychotic state from taking LSD or other hallucinogenic drugs. However psychological articles advise that a very mild form of a hallucination is nothing more than a mere disturbance and is regarded as normal, particularly if you have lost a loved one and hallucinate the loved one’s presence after the death. Hallucinations can cause an individual to see something which is not there, or to hear fictitious sounds or voices. When hallucinating, the conscious mind does not function normally; however, illusions are routinely perceived by the majority of people viewing the stimuli and are considered quite normal. Psychological articles stress that Optical illusions are normal, and do not indicate any mental or psychological disorder. As illusions are misperceptions perceived under specific conditions therefore animals can also be subjected to it. What a thought. Our beloved dogs and cats can also be tricked by optical illusions. Hmm, wonder what they see when watching TV?

Illusions can be tricky, enjoyable and interesting. Most magicians such as Harry Blackstone, Chung Ling Soo and Siegfried & Roy, employ slight of hand and optical illusions to achieve “magical” displays; and the stage distance enhances the believability of the optical illusions effects, such as sawing a woman in half and Lady-to-Tiger. But it is for us to understand that their audience was not having hallucinations; what they saw were optical illusions, false perceptions intentionally created for effect and entertainment.

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