What do YOU see in these photos? If it's faces, you suffer from pareidolia... it's not a sign of madness but a well-wired brain

  • Facial pareidolia, is the phenomenon of seeing faces in inanimate objects
  • Psychologists say some are more likely than others to experience 
  • Prof Kang Lee from the University of Toronto studied on facial pareidolia
  • Says not a sign of madness but a well-wired brain 

By Naomi Greenaway for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

We have all looked up at the sky and seen a little face in the clouds smiling back, but when you glance at these pictures what do you see?

Is this a leaf with caterpillar marks, a pear full of blemishes, the back of an alarm clock, a plug and other household objects - or have you spotted a host of little faces smiling, grimacing and laughing back to you?

If it's the latter, these images are causing you to experience facial pareidolia, the psychological phenomenon of seeing faces in inanimate objects.

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We've all looked up at the sky and seen a little face in the clouds smiling back, but when you look at these pictures what do you see? Is it a leaf or a happy little fellow relaxing on the grass?

We've all looked up at the sky and seen a little face in the clouds smiling back, but when you look at these pictures what do you see? Is it a leaf or a happy little fellow relaxing on the grass?

Tickle tickle: Do you see a potato having a good old giggle or is this just a scratched old spud?

Tickle tickle: Do you see a potato having a good old giggle or is this just a scratched old spud?

If you had your hair dipped in dirty water you wouldn't be happy either: This mop may just be a mop to some but to others it may pick up on the angry face

If you had your hair dipped in dirty water you wouldn't be happy either: This mop may just be a mop to some but to others it may pick up on the angry face

Psychologists say that some of us are more prone to facial pareidolia than others.

But the good news for those who are prone to seeing little people in inanimate objects a sign of madness, it is in fact a sign of a well-wired brain.

Professor Kang Lee. from the University of Toronto who carried out a study on facial pareidolia, explains: 'Most people think you have to be mentally abnormal to see these types of images, so individuals reporting this phenomenon are often ridiculed.

‘But our findings suggest it’s common for people to see non-existent features because human brains are uniquely wired to recognise faces, so that even when there’s only a slight suggestion of facial features the brain automatically interprets it as a face.'

People more prone to experiencing facial pareidolia may see that the back of this alarm clock is feeling very confused

People more prone to experiencing facial pareidolia may see that the back of this alarm clock is feeling very confused

Pick me! Some may bypass this pear for its blemished skin while others will see how eager it is to please

Pick me! Some may bypass this pear for its blemished skin while others will see how eager it is to please

Hundreds of people walked on by as The Shard revealed its face to teh world, but one photographer captured the moment

Hundreds of people walked on by as The Shard revealed its face to teh world, but one photographer captured the moment

Lee adds: ‘The tendency to detect faces in ambiguous visual information is perhaps highly adaptive given the supreme importance of faces in our social life and the high cost resulting from failure to detect a true face,’ explains Lee. 

After analysing the brain's response to seeing faces in inanimate objects the researchers, from the University of Toronto, Beijing Jiaotong University, Xidian University, and the Institute of Automation Chinese Academy of Sciences, discovered that the recognition occurs in the frontal and visual cortex.

The frontal cortex in each participant’s brain sent signals to the posterior visual cortex, which then enhanced the recognisable elements to try and interpret the stimulus.

This happy little iron could make household chores seem a little more fun: But do you see smiling eyes or couple of odd buttons?

This happy little iron could make household chores seem a little more fun: But do you see smiling eyes or couple of odd buttons?

Do you see a useful rucksack or an angry old bag? Psychologists say that some of us are more prone to facial pareidolia than others

Do you see a useful rucksack or an angry old bag? Psychologists say that some of us are more prone to facial pareidolia than others

Would you plonk yourself down on this sofa without realising just how angry it actually is?

Would you plonk yourself down on this sofa without realising just how angry it actually is?

Far from it being a sign of a brain gone doolally seeing faces in objects - such as these images on Yahoo reveal - is an expected physical response.

They also found that people can be led to see different images depending on what they expect to see. 

But if you are feeling left out and never find any visions on your slice, thankfully there are now novelty toasters that add images of Jesus or Elvis to your morning toast.

This toilet vending machine seems a little unhappy with its lot - being stuck in a loo all its life

This toilet vending machine seems a little unhappy with its lot - being stuck in a loo all its life

A plug and adapter or a very surprised little man with metal feet and a smashing black hat - you decide

A plug and adapter or a very surprised little man with metal feet and a smashing black hat - you decide

Underneath, this bowl is not very happy: Far from it being a sign of a brain gone doolally seeing faces in objects is a pre-wired physical response

Underneath, this bowl is not very happy: Far from it being a sign of a brain gone doolally seeing faces in objects is a pre-wired physical response

Death by frying is a sad end for this little slice of pepper? But are you feeling the sympathy?

Death by frying is a sad end for this little slice of pepper? But are you feeling the sympathy?

Would you feel compelled to rescue these little faces from the cold - are are they just salad-in-waiting to you? 

Would you feel compelled to rescue these little faces from the cold - are are they just salad-in-waiting to you? 

A happy watermelon: People can be led to see different images depending on what they expect to see

A happy watermelon: People can be led to see different images depending on what they expect to see

This one-eyed monster with gunge dribbling from its mouth might look like a perfectly appetizing buttery pitta to some

This one-eyed monster with gunge dribbling from its mouth might look like a perfectly appetizing buttery pitta to some

They may only be gathered sheets but something about these bed clothes will resonate with some

They may only be gathered sheets but something about these bed clothes will resonate with some

Not everyone who sits on this chair will have realised quite how happy a spot it is

Not everyone who sits on this chair will have realised quite how happy a spot it is

Three pegs or three sweet little faces - what do you see?

Three pegs or three sweet little faces - what do you see?

If YOU see faces in these photos you suffer from facial pareidolia

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