Magnification effects on perspective angle and optical slant angle across locations.

Abstract

This study investigates the phenomenon of magnification illusion, where the perception of perspective and optical slant angles changes when a scene is magnified. Our findings indicate that magnification influences these angles differently depending on location, which suggests that the illusion might be caused by changes in three-dimensional (3D) interpretation. Our findings reveal that the change of perspective angle interpretation primarily occurred when the stimuli were on the ground and sidewall but not those on the ceiling. Specifically, stimuli on the ceiling exhibit a significant underestimation of optical slant angles, while the perspective angle remains relatively stable. We developed a mathematical model based on the hypothesis of changes in 3D interpretation, which aligns well with our data. It was found that the interpretation of the perspective angle and the optical slant angle changes when a scene is magnified as indicated by the proposed relationship. This research provides the characteristics underlying spatial perception and its alteration under magnification and relative location, with potential applications in virtual reality and augmented reality system designs.