The more-or-less morphing face illusion

2011 Top 10 finalists in the Best Illusion of the Year Contest
Rob van Lier & Arno Koning
Donders Institute, Netherlands
The illusion comprises a morphing sequence between two faces. The observer has to fixate a dot superimposed on the morph. When the dot is moving, morphing can hardly be seen. However, when the dot suddenly stops, the morphing appears surprisingly strong. Subtle differences in, e.g., the shape of the eyes, the color of the skin, and even gender characteristics are 'blown-up' perceptually. Apparently, such differences between faces are easily overlooked when following a moving-dot, but are highly salient when our eyes rest at a single point on the morphing faces.

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