This mystery picture is known as the Renshaw Cow Card. Yes, that’s right - the picture shows a cow including the head and top half of the body. If you weren’t able to see that before, please take another look at the picture and try again.
Dr. Samuel Renshaw (1892-1981), an American experimental psychologist used this image to portray that the brain perceives vision differently from what is simply seen through our eyes. Our eyes are able to view objects, but until the eyes communicate the messages to our brain where the vision is processed then we’re not really seeing.
Interestingly enough, children tend to have an easier time spotting the cow in this image because they see in the natural way that we were born with and that is to be able to see the bigger picture without getting caught up in the details. When we are taught to read, our brain learns to look at each letter and we start getting caught up in the details and have a harder time seeing the big picture, unless we are familiar with the image. Once you are able to find the cow in the picture then usually it becomes very easy to find the cow in the future because our brain has already processed the image. Renshaw’s theory was applied during World War II to train sailors to identify enemy aircraft in a split second. Our visual system, specifically the way the eyes and brain communicate and process visual information can be trained to perform at very high levels.
Pictures of celebrities’ faces upside down with the mouth and eyes wrongly positioned in opposite direction as the rest of the face: http://thatchereffect.com/
Now turn it upside down, what do you see?
This illusion, known as the Thatcher Illusion or the Thatcher Effect was first demonstrated by Professor Peter Thompson of the psychology department at the University of York in 1980 using a picture of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Thatcher Effect shows us that when our brain sees a familiar face upside down it thinks it can identify the person so we get confident that everything seems normal with the facial image that we are viewing. However, only when the picture is turned right side up can we identify that something is wrong with the picture as both the mouth and eyes are upside down.
Just like with these two examples of the Renshaw Cow and the Thatcher Effect, demonstrating how our vision is so influenced by our brain, so too our brain is involved in so many aspects of vision. Just like a computer works by having both hardware (memory card, hard drive, keyboard) and software (windows, chrome, macOS), our vision requires both the eyes as the hardware and our brain as the software.
In fact, more than 50% of the brain’s cortex is involved in processing visual information.
It is essential to understand the importance of the communication between our eyes and our brain which enables a much higher level of functional vision. The amazing thing is that developmental optometrists can train the brain and the eyes to communicate optimally together in order to improve our quality of life.
An American experimental psychologist used this image to portray that the brain perceives vision differently from what is simply seen through our eyes. Our eyes are able to view objects, but until the eyes communicate the messages to our brain where the vision is processed then we’re not really seeing. The Thatcher Effect shows us that when our brain sees a familiar face upside down it thinks it can identify the person so we get confident that everything seems normal with the facial image that we are viewing.
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.
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.
Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.
He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.
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.
Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!
Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.
Thank you!
Seems much less frustrated with life
Reads non-stop and fast
Spelling abilities have been hugely improved
Seems much more confident
Thank You!!!
When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!
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Is foggy vision troubling you? Let our experienced optometrist restore your sight – book an appointment today and see the difference! The term foggy vision often refers to a visual disturbance characterized by blurred, cloudy, or hazy vision, which can make seeing clearly challenging. As your local optometrist, we recognize the significance of maintaining optimal […]
According to the National Eye Institute, nystagmus affects approximately 0.24% of the general population in the United States. This means a whopping 720,000 individuals in the US face the challenges of nystagmus. How does Nystagmus Impact Vision? Nystagmus is a condition that affects the eyes, causing involuntary and rapid movements that can make it difficult to […]
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