Eye Test

image

These two pictures are part of a science experiment. The tractor has been replaced by an octopus. What is being measured?

Answer after the jump.


Original article here.

The second concerns our previous experience (i.e., episodic memory) and the knowledge we bring to a particular viewing situation (i.e., semantic memory). We look more at objects that are the targets of volitional search, but also dwell on objects that are discrepant with expectations, based, for example, on general knowledge about the context in which they are embedded (e.g., an octopus in a barnyard scene...)
     Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 29, 2014
     Category: Science | Experiments | 1970s





Comments
So, we notice the object in the center foreground because it's an octopus and not a tractor??? Good test!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/29/14 at 10:28 AM
I did look up the spelling of obfuscate.
Posted by BMN on 11/29/14 at 10:29 AM
Context? Don't you need at least three to play "One of these things is not like the others"? :lol: :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 11/29/14 at 09:30 PM
OK, is it just me, or is the octopus really a red herring?
Apparently the game is for most people to answer "octopus" when asked what is different, but look again...

*EVERYTHING* is different in those two pictures!

The generalities (aside from the octopus/tractor) remain the same, but no detail in either picture matches. It's like two different people drew the same scene.
Posted by Captain DaFt on 11/30/14 at 06:29 PM
To Captain DaFt,

I'm not sure that's part of the test. I noticed that too, but I just assumed that the same person drew the same picture twice; once with a tractor and once with an octopus. Perhaps it was easier to re-draw the same image, rather than make a direct copy of the first image with the substitution.

If you look closely, the factual parts of the images are the same (the break in the hill behind the property, the number of windows / chimneys, etc) with only minor differences (some window mullions are missing).

Remember, it was the 70's, and I very much doubt that copiers were in every acedemic institution back then.
Posted by Kyle Morgan on 12/02/14 at 12:42 PM
What is being measured?
The high water mark before and after global-warming changed the sea level.
Posted by tadchem on 12/03/14 at 03:03 PM
I would have assumed it was measuring the ability to differentiate octopuses and tractors, but I guess that's why I don't have a high-paying job in academia.
Posted by Caiocaio on 12/08/14 at 10:37 PM
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