Which term best describes a visual perception error that misrepresents reality?

The term that best describes a visual perception error that misrepresents reality is "Optical Illusion." Optical illusions occur when the visual system creates a perception that does not accurately reflect the external reality. They exploit the way our brains process visual information, leading to deceptive interpretations of size, shape, color, or position.

For example, an optical illusion might make two lines of the same length appear different in length due to surrounding visual cues. This illustrates how our perception can be altered by contextual factors, resulting in a significant discrepancy between what is perceived and what is actually true.

While other terms like perceptual distortion, cognitive bias, and social misinterpretation refer to deviations from reality, they encompass broader concepts that extend beyond just visual misrepresentation. Perceptual distortion can apply to all senses and not be strictly visual. Cognitive bias usually refers to systematic patterns of deviation in judgment and decision-making rather than visual perceptions. Social misinterpretation deals with misunderstandings in social contexts rather than pure visual perceptions. Therefore, "Optical Illusion" specifically captures the essence of visual perception errors.