Thing you spot first in strange optical illusion shows if you're 'right or left-brained'
Optical illusions are a fun way to pass the time, and they can also reveal certain things about how your brain works. Apparently, this one can show whether you're 'right-brained' or 'left-brained'
Optical illusions are a fascinating way to pass the time, and it's always intriguing to discover that you perceive something different in an image compared to your mates. However, optical illusions aren't just a source of amusement, they can also shed light on how your brain functions.
The concept of optical illusions has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks. Aristotle, back in 350BC, observed that after watching a waterfall, if he then shifted his gaze to static rocks, they appeared to move in the opposite direction of the water.
He concluded, "our senses can be trusted but they can be easily fooled".
These illusions play tricks on our brains, causing us to see things that aren't actually present. This occurs when our brain and eyes attempt to communicate, but the interpretation gets muddled.
A recent optical illusion purports to determine whether you're a "right-brained" or "left-brained" individual. However, bear in mind this is purely for entertainment, as recent studies have debunked the notion of a "right-brained" or "left-brained" thinker.
The Deep Thinker recently posted to Instagram an image of a mountain with snow on it. The caption says: "Apparently, if you can see two people hugging, you're left-brained and if you can see a dinosaur, you're right-brained. What do you see in the mountain?"
Many people took to the comments section to share what they could see, with some people able to see the two people hugging or a dinosaur, but a lot of people being able to see a third option - a dog. "I see a dinosaur on the tail. I see two people hugging on the bottom left," said one person. "I can see two people hugging," said another.
However, others were confused as they saw a dog, which wasn't one of the options. "An adorable dog!" said one person. "I see a puppy dog lounging," said another. And a third added: "I suppose I am middle brained. I see a cute dog."
You might have heard the phrase being a "left-brained" or "right-brained" thinker in books or TV shows, and might have even wondered which of the categories you fall into. However, in recent years it has been claimed this idea is just one of the many myths about the brain. According to the theory, each side of the brain controls a different type of thinking. Verywell Mind reports a person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical and objective, whereas a "right-brained" person is more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective.
The theory originated from research conducted by Roger W Sperry in the 1970s and 1980s. While it's true that certain mental processes occur in the right or left hemisphere of the brain, recent research has found no evidence that people have stronger networks on one side of the brain than the other.
According to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, "while widely popular" personality tests that show whether you're left or right-brained "reveal more about personal preferences than they do about neuroanatomy, and are primarily useful for their entertainment value". They add: "Research has demonstrated that both sides of the brain work in tandem during creative and quantitative tasks alike."