This document discusses observations versus inferences and includes examples of optical illusions to test the reader's observation skills. It contains: 1) A brief introduction that distinguishes observations, which use the senses to gather facts, from inferences, which are logical interpretations based on prior knowledge and experience. 2) A series of images and questions about the images to test the reader's ability to make observations without inferences. 3) Explanations of the illusions and tricks played on the reader's perception to demonstrate how inferences can differ from objective observations.

1. A test of your observation skills…
Contributions by D. Padilla, D. Johnson, & E. Marconi
For more optical illusions go to: http://www.123opticalillusions.com/

2. ObservationsObservations
 Use one or more of the 5 sensesUse one or more of the 5 senses
to gather informationto gather information
 A noting and recording of….A noting and recording of….
FACTS!!!FACTS!!!
 Example:Example: There is one TV in theThere is one TV in the
room.room.

3. InferencesInferences
 Logical interpretation based uponLogical interpretation based upon
prior knowledge and experienceprior knowledge and experience
 Based upon observationsBased upon observations
 Example:Example: When you entered theWhen you entered the
room, you most likely inferred that theroom, you most likely inferred that the
individual in the front of the room isindividual in the front of the room is
the teacher.the teacher.

4. Note the Differences
• In laboratory exercises, record
observations NOT inferences
• Inferences may be used when
writing the conclusion in your lab
report.
• Let’s test your observation skills…

5. Take a good look at this picture

6. Question 1
Are there cars parked on the sides of the
road?

7. Question 2
What color is the pickup truck driving in the
road?

8. Question 3
Any minivans around?

9. Question 4
What does the blue sign say?

10. Question 5
What's the speed limit?

11. Question 6
Are there any pedestrians on the road?

13. Answers
1. Yes
2. Blue
3. Yes
4. Yard Sale
5. 35 mph
6. No

15. Observation vs Inference
• On the next slide, state whether the
statement is an observation or an
inference.

16. 1. There is a representation of a face on one side
of the coin.
2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."
3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.
4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.
5. The coin was made in 1722.
6. The face on the coin is a representation of the
nation's president.

17. How many legs does the elephant
have?

18. What do you see?

19. Who is in this picture?
• Do you see former President Bill Clinton and Al Gore?
• Actually, it’s Clinton’s face twice with 2 different hair
cuts!

20. What do you see?
Hint:
There are
3 images.
1. An old lady
2. A young
woman
3. A man with
a big
brown
mustache

21. Take a very close look at the 2 vertical lines.
Is one line is longer than the other?
They are the SAME

22. Compare this picture to the next
one…

23. What’s the difference?

24. Does the square have
curved sides?

25. What do you see?

26. Can you stack these blocks?

27. What animal do you perceive?
A Duck, Bunny, or BOTH?

28. Where are those dots coming
from?!
YourYour
brain!brain!

29. Look at the chart and say the color,
NOT the word
Your right brain tried to say the color,
but your left brain was reading the
word.

30. Read across..

31. Can you pick the tallest soldier?
They are all the same height!

32. What do you see?
The Landscape of Faces

33. Do you see the face on Earth?
How about now?

34. These circles are not moving, your brain is
making them appear to move. Try focusing
on one circle. It will stop moving.

35. Are these dots moving?

36. Does this image appear to be
moving?
• It’s NOT!
• Just kidding, this one
is actually moving