Final answer:
An illusion is a misperception of a real sensory experience, where the brain actively interprets sensory information and can sometimes get it wrong. Familiar objects can appear different under unusual visual cues or lighting conditions, creating an incorrect interpretation of what is actually there.
Step-by-step explanation:
The perception of a computer resembling a lion in a dark room is an example of an illusion, which is a misinterpretation of a real sensory experience. Illusions occur when our brain tries to make sense of the world but gets it wrong. This happens because our brain actively projects and interprets the world based on a limited and sometimes distorted sensory input.
When exposed to certain visual cues or lighting conditions, everyday objects can trigger our brain to adjust perception and sometimes mislabel what we see. For instance, when holding a flashlight under the chin, shadows can make our faces look scary, which is not the true appearance but an illusion created by unusual lighting. Similarly, in literature, as in the provided excerpts, threatening situations like a lion's presence can heighten emotions and may distort one's perception of reality. The brain's active role in perception shows our reality is somewhat subjective and open to interpretation, which is adeptly illustrated through optical illusions and 3D simulations that make fictional scenes seem disturbingly real.
Illusions are not only fascinating psychological phenomena, but they also have implications for understanding how we interact with and interpret our environments, both real and virtual.