Comparative Analysis of Verbal Evaluation of Illusory Segments in Children and Adults

A comparative study of the strength of the Ponzo and Müller-Lyer illusions in preschool children, primary school children and adults was performed. Significant differences in the strength of the Ponzo and Müller-Lyer illusions were revealed between groups of children and adults. The results obtained indicate a higher degree of intensity of illusion in children. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found between the groups of primary school and preschool children. For the first time, the magnitude of the illusory effect in children with different levels of maturity of visual perception was compared. When comparing data on the level of maturity of visual perception using the M.M. Bezrukih methodic, we found significant differences in the strength of the Ponzo illusion between groups of children with high and low levels of maturity of perceptual constancy. The results suggest the magnitude of the Ponzo illusion is associated with the maturity level of the constancy of visual perception. Such a connection was not found for the Müller-Lyer illusion, which may indicate differences in the mechanisms of formation of the visual illusions under study.