The carpentered-world hypothesis is used to explain cultural differences in what phenomenon?

The carpentered-world hypothesis provides insight into how cultural experiences shape perception, specifically in relation to visual illusions. This hypothesis suggests that individuals raised in environments with right angles and straight lines, such as those in industrialized societies, may be more susceptible to certain perceptual illusions compared to those from cultures with different architectural norms.

The Müller-Lyer illusion, which involves two lines of equal length appearing to be different lengths due to the addition of arrow-like figures at the ends, serves as a prime example of this phenomenon. People from carpentered environments are more likely to misjudge the lengths of these lines due to their familiarity with angles and linear perspectives, which affects their depth perception and spatial orientation.

In contrast, individuals from non-carpentered cultures, where circular buildings and less linearity are common, may not experience the same level of distortion when viewing the Müller-Lyer illusion, leading to a lower susceptibility to this unique perceptual phenomenon. This illustrates how cultural factors can significantly influence visual perception and experiences of illusions.