Difference Between Illusion and Hallucination (with Examples, Types and Comparison Chart)

Mar 3, 2023 · 7 min read ·

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Both illusion and hallucination are perceptual disturbances. Hallucination is a false perception or wrong perception, in the absence of any object. On the other hand, the illusion is a false perception or perception in a wrong manner of a real object. So, in the case of hallucination, there is no object present, but it is the person who perceives that there is some object, but in the other case the person perceives an object differently than it is actually.

When there is hallucination, an individual is seen in complete darkness or hears some voices when there is no sound at all. However, in illusion, there is some external stimulus that is to be seen or heard, but the impression received by the person concerned is misinterpreted.

This post will help you understand the basic difference between illusion and hallucination.

Content: Illusion Vs Hallucination

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Illusion	Hallucination
Meaning	Illusion is the misperception of an real external stimulus like perceiving the shape, size, color, texture, height, etc. of the object differently.	Hallucination is a false sensory perception, which a person experiences without actual external stimulus.
Stimuli	Present	Not Present
Experience	Experienced by many people.	Experienced by the person concerned only.
Normal	Yes, it is absolutely normal.	No, it is not normal, it represents mental illness.
Example	Perceiving a black wire as a snake.	Perceiving a snake while there is nothing.

Definition of Illusion

When a person wrongly perceives one object in a way that is not the same as the actual quality of the object, it is called illusion. Therefore, in an illusion, we mistakenly perceive an object for some other object. Illusion can also be termed as an error of perception.

So, the misperception arising out of a misinterpretation of the information gathered by the sensory organs is regarded as an illusion. Further, the misperception of a real external stimulus generally takes place when the basic level of sensory stimulation i.e. consciousness is low.

One should not confuse between an illusion and dream, and also between illusion and imagination, because in the case of illusion the perceived stimuli are present however in the case of a dream, there is no object present in reality. Conversely, in the case of imagination, the perceived object is a creation of the mind of the person concerned, which is not the case of illusion.

Type of Illusion

Illusion of Size: In this type of illusion, the person has the wrong perception of the size of the object. It basically depends on how far or near the object is.
Illusion of Length: It is also called as Muller-Lyer Illusion. In this case, both the lines are similar but still, the bottom line is perceived by the person as longer. Further, it is caused as a result of our interpretation of angles at the ends of the lines.
Illusion of Perspective: Another name for this illusion is the Ponzo illusion. In this case, even when two pieces or objects are identical in shape and size, one looks bigger than the other, which is a result of the misleading perspective cue. It takes place when we rush to add a third dimension to the stimulus, i.e. depth. And the reason behind the bigger appearance of one shape is that it appears to be distant.
Illusion of Curvature: In this illusion, even when two horizontal lines are straight and parallel to each out they look bowed. Further, it may be difficult to perceive them as they are, i.e. straight and parallel to each other, because of the movement of our eye and the likelihood of overestimating acute angle.
Horizontal or Vertical Illusion: Even when horizontal and vertical lines are equal in their length, the one which is vertical is perceived as longer. This is a result of our field of vision that is generally that of a horizontal ellipse. In the perception of the line that is vertical in shape, the upright movement of eyes produces more muscular strain than the horizontal movement, in the perception of the line that is horizontal in shape.
Illusion of Movement: When we perceive an object as moving when we are looking at it, which is not at all moving, such an illusion is called an illusion of movement.

Causes of Illusion

There are a number of causes of illusion, these are:

Confusion
Eye Movement
Tendency Towards Wholes
Perspective
Preconception
Emotion
Habits
Contrast of Stimuli
Defects of Sense Organs
Imperfect Isolation

Also Read: Difference Between Sensation and Perception

Definition of Hallucination

When a person experiences false sensory perception, in the absence of any actual external stimulus or say object, it is called hallucination. It must be noted that hallucinations are usually experienced in the real outside world, and not within the mind of the person concerned. In this way, hallucination differs from imagination. It is an experience that appears to take place without any outside source. It is an alleged perception of something, which is not really there.

Criterion of Hallucination

To be labeled as a hallucination, it must fulfill the following criterion:

Perception must take place without a stimulus (object).
It must be as clear (vivid) as a real perception.
It must occur in outer and objective space.
It must be under the wilful control of the person.

Types of Hallucination

There are five different types of hallucination, these are:

Auditory Hallucination: It happens when a person hears some voices or sounds, telling him/her to do something.

Visual Hallucination: It takes place when a person says that he/she can see someone or talks to someone, who is not present there.

Olfactory Hallucination: A form of hallucination in which the patient smells an odor that is not present.

Gustatory Hallucination: Represented by the tongue, it is identified by the taste that is not related to the food, that is being consumed. This may result in denial to eat.

Tactile Hallucination: Tactile hallucination is when the patients complain of insects crawling on their bodies when in reality there is nothing.

Also Read: Difference Between Hearing and Listening

Key Differences Between Illusion and Hallucination

As we have already discussed the meaning and types of these two, now we will talk about the differences between illusion and hallucination:

Illusion is a misperception of something objectively existing in a manner that causes misinterpretation of real nature. It occurs when a sensory stimulus is present but is falsely perceived and interpreted by the person. On the other hand, hallucination is that form of perception wherein an individual sees vision or hears voices, which does not exist, i.e. in reality there is nothing and apart from that person, no other person around him perceives the same thing.

In the case of illusion, real external stimuli are present which are perceived differently by people. Conversely, in the case of hallucination, no real external stimuli are present, but the person perceived it as a present.

Illusion is experienced by many people, whereas hallucination is person-specific, i.e. it is uniquely and personally experienced by that person only.

Hallucination is an abnormal symptom that often occurs as a result of mental illness, a side effect of medications, or epilepsy. And so, the person needs to consult specialists like a psychiatrist or neurologist. On the contrary, Illusion is quite common in people, there is nothing abnormal about illusion.

Example

Illusion	Hallucination
A football in the hands of a kid appears bigger than the same football in the hands of an adult.	No one is standing next to a person but you perceive that someone is standing.
Black jeans are crumpled on the floor and you perceive it as a black dog.	Hearing a voice that someone has called your name and responding to it, while no one has called you.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, illusion and hallucinations are physiological and psychological conditions of the person. A delirious person may hold that their perceptual experiences are true and act in the same manner.

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