The Thatcher Effect Illusion

Published on

January 5, 2022

Does this person look normal to you?

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How about now?

The eyes, and the brain, can fall prey to a range of optical illusions, for a variety of reasons. One such illusion is known as the Thatcher Effect.

Named for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, since it was a photo of her that was famously used to illustrate the illusion, shows that the brain cannot properly process a photo of a face which is upside-down.

It demonstrates this by modifying upside down faces, flipping the mouth and eyes right side up. Because of this, and how our minds have learned to recognize faces, the brain believes nothing is wrong...until the image is turned right side up. Only at that point does the brain finally realize that yes, something was indeed very wrong with the image.

The Thatcher Effect demonstrates the importance of the brain’s processing of visual information, and the fact that recognizing faces is something we learn to do as our vision develops.

Note: Include Thatcher Effect images, along with normal versions for comparison, or some sort of button/link that demonstrates the illusion.

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Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

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It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

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