All you have is seven seconds to solve this optical illusion problem

Would you like to give it a try?

Try solving this brain teaser. (Source: Bright Side)

How do optical illusions engage different cognitive skills compared to more straightforward problem-solving tasks?

Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist at Mindtalk, says, “Optical illusions engage multiple cognitive skills in ways that differ from traditional problem-solving tasks, which often rely on logic and reasoning. They work by tricking the brain’s visual perception, involving the visual cortex, which interprets what we see.” 

She continues, “The brain makes assumptions based on past experiences and expectations, leading to misinterpretation of visual stimuli, causing us to see things that aren’t there or miss obvious elements. Unlike linear problem-solving, optical illusions challenge pattern recognition and attention by forcing the brain to detect subtle irregularities in spatial or colour patterns.”

Additionally, they test cognitive flexibility, requiring the brain to shift perspectives and think beyond conventional methods to interpret the deceptive visuals.

Why do time constraints, like the seven-second limit in this challenge, make it harder to spot visual errors?

Here are some likely reasons, according to Cadabam:

Cognitive Overload: When given only seven seconds to spot an error, the brain experiences heightened pressure, which increases cognitive load. This overload causes the brain to rely on automatic processing, where it defaults to familiar patterns and routines rather than exploring novel solutions. 

Performance Under Pressure: Time pressure triggers the fight-or-flight response, which increases levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the brain. This can impair working memory, making it more difficult to think critically or analyse visual details effectively.

Time pressure triggers the fight-or-flight response (Source: Freepik)

Improving performance

To improve performance under pressure, the following strategies can help:

Practice Timed Exercises: Regularly practicing solving puzzles with time constraints can train the brain to function more efficiently under pressure.

Chunking Information: This is the process of breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable parts. In visual puzzles, this could involve focusing on one segment of the image at a time, rather than trying to process the entire image at once.

Relaxation Techniques: Breathing exercises or mindfulness before attempting a timed puzzle can help reduce the stress response and improve cognitive clarity.

How to solve this puzzle

In the optical illusion provided in the link, the challenge is to spot the mistake within 7 seconds. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to approach it, as suggested by Cadabam:

Step 1: Scan the Image for Irregularities: Quickly scan the image to see if anything stands out visually. Look for patterns, symmetry, or elements that don’t match. Focus on areas that seem either too perfect or too chaotic, as errors in illusions are often hidden in plain sight.

Step 2: Look for Textual Errors: Many optical illusions hide mistakes in text rather than the image itself. Check for typos, misspellings, or extra spaces between words, as these can be subtle and easy to overlook.

Step 3: Compare Known Patterns: If the puzzle involves a sequence or pattern, compare each element to the ones around it. For example, in a pattern of repeating numbers or shapes, the mistake could be a slight variation in one of the elements.

“Upon closer inspection, it does seem that the woman on the bench is holding the book in reverse. This subtle error is what makes the optical illusion tricky because, at first glance, everything seems ordinary. However, when you carefully observe the woman’s book, you’ll notice that the book cover is facing her while the pages are facing outwards, which is clearly an error,” notes Cadabam.