Duck or Rabbit First? Study Explains Personality Clues in Visual Perception

What Optical Illusions Like the Rabbit-Duck REALLY Reveal About You

[Rabbit-Duck Illusion Image]
The rabbit-duck illusion, first published in 1892, sparks debate: Is it a duck, a rabbit, or both?

For years, viral claims suggested that what you see first in ambiguous images—like the rabbit-duck—reveals personality traits. Spotting the duck first supposedly signals emotional stability, while the rabbit hints at procrastination. But psychologist Richard Wiseman (University of Hertfordshire) and colleague Caroline Watt investigated whether these interpretations hold scientific weight.

The Study

Researchers tested 300 participants using four classic illusions:

Rabbit-Duck (1892)
Rubin’s Vase (faces or vase, 19th-century postcard)
Young/Older Woman (1888 postcard)
Horse-Seal (created in 1968)

[Rubin’s Vase Image]
Rubin’s vase: Faces or vase? Claims tie face-viewers to detail-oriented thinking.

Participants identified what they saw first and answered personality questionnaires. Results debunked most online theories but uncovered subtle links.

Debunked Myths

Rabbit-Duck: No evidence tied the rabbit to procrastination or the duck to optimism.
Rubin’s Vase: Seeing faces first didn’t correlate with detail-oriented thinking.
Young/Older Woman: No connection between the older woman and logical decision-making.
Horse-Seal: Seal viewers weren’t more analytical.

Surprising Links

Some correlations emerged:

Rabbit-Duck: Duck viewers scored lower in emotional stability; rabbit viewers were more extroverted and conscientious.
Rubin’s Vase: Face viewers were more open-minded.
Young/Older Woman: Young woman viewers acted more spontaneously.
Horse-Seal: Seal viewers leaned intuitive and spontaneous.

[Young/Older Woman Image]
Young or old? Spotting the young woman first may signal spontaneity.

Conclusion

While most viral claims are “psychological myths,” subtle ties between perception and personality exist. Wiseman urges further research to explore these connections. For now, take online analyses with a grain of salt—your brain’s interpretation might say less about you than the internet claims.

[Horse-Seal Image]
Horse or seal? Seal viewers showed higher intuitiveness in the study.

PeerJ study highlights: Science debunks myths but leaves room for curiosity. Next time you see an illusion, enjoy the mystery—not the meme.