A neuro-mathematical model for size and context related illusions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mathematical model inspired by the visual cortex to explain size and context illusions, specifically applying it to Ebbinghaus and Delboeuf illusions and validating with experimental data.

Contribution

It develops a simplified neuro-mathematical model for size illusions based on cortical architecture and deformation models, extending previous work on orientation illusions.

Findings

The model successfully explains size illusions like Ebbinghaus and Delboeuf.

Validation shows good agreement with experimental data.

The approach links cortical architecture to perceptual phenomena.

Abstract

We provide here a mathematical model of size/context illusions, inspired by the functional architecture of the visual cortex. We first recall previous models of scale and orientation, in particular the one in (Sarti et al., 2008), and simplify it, only considering the feature of scale. Then we recall the deformation model of illusion, introduced by (Franceschiello et al. 2017), to describe orientation related GOIs, and adapt it to size illusions. We finally apply the model to the Ebbinghaus and Delboeuf illusions, validating the results by comparing with experimental data from (Massaro et al., 1971) and (Roberts et al., 2005).