Mandelbaum Effect
Encyclopedia
The Mandelbaum Effect is the tendency for people to focus nearby in conditions of poor visibility. It was first codified by Mandelbaum in 1960. Because dirty glass can aggravate the effect, potentially causing a pilot
or driver to miss seeing an obstacle or hazard, it is a strong safety argument for keeping windows clean.
tends to relax and focus on its best distance, technically known as "empty field" or "dark focus". This distance is usually just under one meter (one yard), but varies considerably among people. The tendency is aggravated by objects close to the eye, drawing focus closer.
It has been shown that the Mandelbaum Effect is not refractive error in the usual sense: it is not a structural characteristic of the eyes, but the Effect arises from normal variations of perception in the brain. As in the aviation condition known as spatial disorientation
, it is posited some people are severely affected by the effect, some mildly, and some not at all.
In aviation
and automobile safety
research, the Mandelbaum Effect is a useful tool in determining bias in stressful conditions. There seems to be consistent patterns in pilots' and drivers' perceptions during poor visibility. How to compensate for the Mandelbaum Effect is still subject to research.
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
or driver to miss seeing an obstacle or hazard, it is a strong safety argument for keeping windows clean.
Discussion
When visibility is poor, as at night during rainstorms or fog, the eyeHuman eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
tends to relax and focus on its best distance, technically known as "empty field" or "dark focus". This distance is usually just under one meter (one yard), but varies considerably among people. The tendency is aggravated by objects close to the eye, drawing focus closer.
It has been shown that the Mandelbaum Effect is not refractive error in the usual sense: it is not a structural characteristic of the eyes, but the Effect arises from normal variations of perception in the brain. As in the aviation condition known as spatial disorientation
Spatial disorientation
Spatial disorientation is the inability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, altitude or airspeed, in relation to the Earth or point of reference. Spatial disorientation is a condition in which an aircraft pilot's perception of direction does not agree with reality...
, it is posited some people are severely affected by the effect, some mildly, and some not at all.
In aviation
Aviation accidents and incidents
An aviation accident is defined in the Convention on International Civil Aviation Annex 13 as an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, in which a...
and automobile safety
Automobile safety
Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
research, the Mandelbaum Effect is a useful tool in determining bias in stressful conditions. There seems to be consistent patterns in pilots' and drivers' perceptions during poor visibility. How to compensate for the Mandelbaum Effect is still subject to research.