Optimizing the strength of the Bourdon effect by varying the triangle arrangement

Abstract

The Bourdon illusion refers to the perceived bentness of the straight collinear edges when two right-angled triangles are placed apex to apex. We studied this illusion using a cancellation method. In the first of three experiments, we manipulated the apex angle, with six different angles ranging from 4°to 45°. Results indicated that the Bourdon illusion is strongest when the angle is around 12°. In the second experiment, we compared four scalene triangles with a right-angled triangle. The angular shift was most salient when the shape corresponded to a right-angled triangle. In the third experiment, the patterns were created by varying the size of one right-angled triangle while holding the size of the second right-angled triangle constant. Results indicated that the Bourdon illusion was strongest when both right-angled triangles were of equal size. Our data suggest that the Bourdon illusion depends critically upon the specific arrangement of shapes in the display.