Scientists from the University of Oregon have figured out why people see so many different images in Rorschach inkblots, and believe the knowledge could be used to design retinal implants.
According to researchers, the different images are caused by fractal characteristics at the edges of the blots and depend on the scaling parameters of the patterns. The team reportedly analyzed the boundaries of the Rorschach's 10 inkblots, quantifying the visual complexity of the blot boundaries using a parameter called fractal dimension D. They then combined the pattern analysis reuslts with original psychology studies conducted on the blots in the 1930s and 1950s, and found as the D value was increased, the number of visual perceptions lowered.
The research team believes their research could be used to design a fractal-based retinal implant, as well as potentially improve materials used for camouflage.
The study was recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.
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Source: University of Oregon