What is an example of a visual illusion that relies on depth perception cues?

Study for the AP Psychology Sensation and Perception Test. Includes multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your AP exam!

The choice indicating both the Müller-Lyer illusion and the Ponzo illusion as examples of visual illusions that rely on depth perception cues is accurate because both of these illusions exploit the brain's interpretation of depth to create a misleading perception of size or length.

The Müller-Lyer illusion involves two lines of the same length appearing different due to the orientation of arrow-like fins at the ends. Our brain interprets these angles in relation to the surrounding space, applying depth cues which suggest one line is further away or shorter than the other.

The Ponzo illusion, on the other hand, uses converging lines (like railway tracks) to create a perception of depth. In this illusion, two horizontal lines placed over these converging lines are perceived differently in length despite being equal. The brain interprets the top line as being further away and thus larger, demonstrating how depth cues influence size perception.

Both illusions showcase how our visual system uses depth information to make judgments about size and distance, leading to the incorrect perceptions characteristic of visual illusions. Thus, the correct answer encompasses both examples as they illustrate the influence of depth perception in eliciting these illusions.

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