Möbius band surprise: A systematic illusion in imagery

Haugland, Mons D., Pearson, David and Ekroll, Vebjørn (2021) Möbius band surprise: A systematic illusion in imagery. i-Perception, 12 (2). pp. 1-10. ISSN 2041-6695

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Abstract

When a Möbius loop is cut along the middle of the band, the result is a single connected loop, yet anecdotal evidence from science demonstrations and the use of this effect in magic tricks suggest that most people are thoroughly surprised by this because they strongly believe that the result should be two separate loops. Here, we present results from a behavioral experiment confirming this anecdotal evidence and discuss potential theoretical explanations for why this demonstration evokes strong, but misleading intuitions and a related illusion of impossibility.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Möbius band, Magic trick, Visual imagery, Spatial reasoning
Faculty:	Faculty of Science & Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic User
Depositing User:	Symplectic User
Date Deposited:	09 Mar 2021 15:07
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2022 15:01
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/706399

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