Posted on 01/06/2006 3:07:02 PM PST by blam
Humans Do Not Understand Mirror Reflections, Say Researchers
General Science : December 21, 2005 Newsletter
Psychologists at the University of Liverpool have found that people still find it difficult to understand how mirrors work.
Dr Marco Bertamini, from the University’s School of Psychology, conducted a number of experiments by covering a mirror on a wall and inviting participants to walk along a line parallel to the mirror.
He asked them to guess the point at which they would be able to see their reflection. Results showed that people believe they can see themselves even before they are level with the near edge of the mirror.
Dr Bertamini said: “People tend not to understand that the location of the viewer matters in terms of what is visible in a mirror. A good example of this is what we call the Venus Effect, which relates to the many famous paintings of the goddess Venus, looking in a small mirror.
“If you were to look at these paintings, you would assume that Venus is admiring her own face, because you see her face in the mirror. Your viewpoint, however, is rather different from hers; if you can see her in the mirror then she would see you in the mirror.”
Participants were also asked to estimate the image size of their head as it appears on the surface of the mirror. They estimated that it would be a similar size to their physical head. However, participants based their answer on the image they saw inside the mirror rather than on the image on the surface of it. They failed to recognise that the image on the surface of the mirror is half the size of the observer because a mirror is always halfway between the observer and the image that appears inside the mirror.
Dr Bertamini added: “Mirrors make us see virtual objects that exist in a virtual world; they are windows onto this world. On the one hand we trust what we see, but on the other hand this is a world that we know has no physical existence. This is one of the reasons why throughout history people have been fascinated by mirrors.”
Source: the University of Liverpool
We used to tape report between shifts when I worked in the hospital.
I sound like a Southern Minnie Mouse.
Makes me cringe.
For instance, this research gives us a clue into the workings of the human brain, which put together with all the other research in the field, gives us a clearer picture on brain function, which could lead to treatments for various disorders.
No, he did not blow it completely. Yes, you, standing by the mirror will see an image of the ruler 12 inches high. That is not the point. We are talking about living things with eyes. If the ruler were alive and had eyes on the top end, it would truly see itself as a 6" image in the mirror. Try it yourself. Find a full length mirror. Walk up until your nose is touching it. Put a mark on the mirror at the top of your head and one by your feet. You will find the marks roughly half of your height apart. It is only approximate since your eyes are not at the very top of you. Most people can see all of themselves in a 3+ foot mirror. And it doesn't matter how close or far from the mirror. A full length mirror is a waste of money. Try this webpage for a good diagram and explanation: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/refln/u13l2d.html
Yeah, they wouldn't have their computer and the internet to bitch on.
The math is wrong. Oh well, it was a good try.
Fascinating question, one of physicist Richard Feynman's favorite brain teasers although I cannot presently remember his explanation.
Stone breaks mirror... I win.
Some people just get sick of arrogant know-it-all "scientists" who haven't got the common sense God gave a goose but who are quick to tell everyone else to shut up and listen to their glorious wisdom and awesome intelligence.
No one likes to fund jerks.
Perhaps you are somewhat anemic and suffer from photophobia..
Me thinks it's just the Dims who don't understand.
Examine your neck area for recent bite marks. Since your inabillity to use a mirror will make it impossible for you to examine the back of your neck yourself, you will require a young, innocent, nubile female, who screams well, to assist you.
On the other hand, we have folks like you who seem to know more than the scientists without ever getting off your butt and actually doing any research to support your position. It's oh, so much more easy to sit on the side-lines and carp at those actually doing the work.
They are coming to be detested. And for good reason.
You make my case.
Mirrors show ... nothing!
PUN INTENDED!
Here's a fun experiment. Stand a comfortable arm's length from a mirror, close one eye, and with an erasable marker trace the image of your face. It will be sloppy, but it will look like you, and it will be exactly 1/2 actual size. Now, assuming the mirror is mounted vertically, back away from the mirror and you will see that your face continues to be overlayed by the tracing, no matter how far away you get!
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Helen's still trying to figure out why mirrors shatter. |
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