TY - JOUR AU - Otero-Millan, Jorge AU - Macknik, Stephen AU - Robbins, Apollo AU - Martinez-Conde, Susana PY - 2011 M3 - Original Research TI - Stronger Misdirection in Curved than in Straight Motion JO - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2011.00133 VL - 5 SN - 1662-5161 N2 - Illusions developed by magicians are a rich and largely untapped source of insight into perception and cognition. Here we show that curved motion, as employed by the magician in a classic sleight of hand trick, generates stronger misdirection than rectilinear motion, and that this difference can be explained by the differential engagement of the smooth pursuit and the saccadic oculomotor systems. This research exemplifies how the magician’s intuitive understanding of the spectator’s mindset can surpass that of the cognitive scientist in specific instances, and that observation-based behavioral insights developed by magicians are worthy of quantitative investigation in the neuroscience laboratory. ER -