<P> Pareidolia can cause people to interpret random images , or patterns of light and shadow , as faces . A 2009 magnetoencephalography study found that objects perceived as faces evoke an early ( 165 ms ) activation of the fusiform face area at a time and location similar to that evoked by faces , whereas other common objects do not evoke such activation . This activation is similar to a slightly faster time ( 130 ms ) that is seen for images of real faces . The authors suggest that face perception evoked by face - like objects is a relatively early process , and not a late cognitive reinterpretation phenomenon . A functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) study in 2011 similarly showed that repeated presentation of novel visual shapes that were interpreted as meaningful led to decreased fMRI responses for real objects . These results indicate that the interpretation of ambiguous stimuli depends upon processes similar to those elicited by known objects . </P>
<P> Pareidolia can cause people to interpret random images , or patterns of light and shadow , as faces . A 2009 magnetoencephalography study found that objects perceived as faces evoke an early ( 165 ms ) activation of the fusiform face area at a time and location similar to that evoked by faces , whereas other common objects do not evoke such activation . This activation is similar to a slightly faster time ( 130 ms ) that is seen for images of real faces . The authors suggest that face perception evoked by face - like objects is a relatively early process , and not a late cognitive reinterpretation phenomenon . A functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) study in 2011 similarly showed that repeated presentation of novel visual shapes that were interpreted as meaningful led to decreased fMRI responses for real objects . These results indicate that the interpretation of ambiguous stimuli depends upon processes similar to those elicited by known objects . </P>
what is it when you see faces in everything
what is it when you see faces in everything
Pareidolia
Pareidolia