Why is it that people who live in Western cultures are more susceptible to the Müller-Lyer illusion than those who do not?

• A. Buildings have more straight lines and corners in Western cultures.
• B. People in Western cultures tend to experience an accelerated rate of presbyopia.
• C. People in Western cultures adapt more readily to changes in the Gestalts in their surroundings.
• D. There is a higher rate of monochrome color blindness in Western cultures.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the Müller-Lyer illusion: It is a visual illusion where two lines of the same length appear to be of different lengths due to the presence of arrow-like figures at the ends.
2. Consider the role of environmental factors: Western cultures often have environments with many straight lines and corners, such as buildings and urban architecture.
3. Analyze the impact of these environmental factors: The prevalence of straight lines and corners in Western environments may influence perceptual processing, making individuals more susceptible to certain visual illusions.
4. Compare with non-Western cultures: In contrast, non-Western cultures may have environments with fewer straight lines and corners, leading to different perceptual experiences and less susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion.
5. Conclude the reasoning: The susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion in Western cultures is likely due to the frequent exposure to straight lines and corners, which shapes perceptual expectations and processing.