staircase illusion

a three-dimensional impossible figure in which a set of stairs appears to continue rising or descending endlessly. It is frequently confused with the Schröder staircase. Also called Penrose staircase. [devised by British geneticist and mathematician Lionel S. Penrose (1898–1972) and British physicist Roger Penrose (1931– )]

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

cold pressor pain test

a test of pain produced by immersing a limb in iced water. Also called cold pressor test.