In honor of Presidents’ Day here in the United States, today’s illusion features Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. President.  Both photographs of Obama look fairly normal when viewed upside down.  When the images are inverted, however, it is obvious that his eyes and mouth are upside down on one of photographs and normal on the other.  Why do you think that this modification is difficult to see when viewing his face upside down?

This illusion is a variation of the Thatcher Illusion (because Margaret Thatcher was the original subject used) and was discovered by Psychology Professor Peter Thompson in 1980.  Thompson concluded his original article with the following:

“Further research into this illusion might help determine whether face recognition is a serial or a parallel process, is achieved by face-specific analysers searching for distinguishing characteristics or by some perceptual gestalt.  It might even tell us something about Margaret Thatcher.”

Other Optical Illusions You Might Enjoy

A Face in the Snow

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Leapin’ Lilies by Gene Levine

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White Fluffy Tree

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Anamorphic Beach Art by Jamie Harkins

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Impossible Aqueduct by Catherine Leah Palmer

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Candy Cane Optical Illusion

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