TED-Ed: Seeing things that aren't there? It's pareidolia | Susan G. Wardle

The video explores face pareidolia, a phenomenon where humans perceive faces in inanimate objects. This occurs due to the brain's hypersensitivity to face-like structures, an evolutionary trait that aids social interaction. Brain imaging studies show that while humans can quickly identify real faces, they also often see illusory ones. This hypersensitivity is generally harmless and may be evolutionarily advantageous. The video also discusses how brain stimulation can alter face perception and highlights that pareidolia is not unique to humans, as seen in primates.

What is face pareidolia?

• A disorder affecting facial expressions

• The ability to see faces in inanimate objects

• A condition where people cannot recognize faces

• The process of memorizing faces

Why might our brains be hypersensitive to face-like structures?

• To develop better language skills

• To enhance memory retention

• To improve artistic skills

• To quickly process visual information

How quickly can the brain recognize a face as illusory?

• Within 1/10 of a second

• Within 1 second

• Within 1/2 of a second

• Within 1/4 of a second

What happens when the fusiform face area is stimulated while viewing a non-face object?

• The object appears larger

• The object appears to change color

• The object seems to have facial features

• The object becomes invisible

What does the study of rhesus macaque monkeys suggest about pareidolia?

• It is present in other primates

• It is a learned behavior

• It is unique to humans

• It is a recent evolutionary development