Cognitive illusions

Magicians have developed powerful techniques to manipulate our perception and awareness. Many of these techniques share similarities with phenomena typically investigated by psychologists and neuroscientists. Here a novel approach to the study of consciousness is proposed which utilizes the magician’s expertise to complement more traditional experimental laboratory based research. It is argued that this approach offers new and exciting insights into wide areas of consciousness, such as attention, visual awareness and top-down modulation of perception.