Apparent parallelism was studied to determine spatial relations of S, standard, and variable which might be sufficient for veridical and illusory perceptions of parallelism. Relationships between Ss' aptitude for spatial visualization (paper-and-pencil tests) and the measures of parallelism were assessed. Different spatial relations of S, standard, and variable resulted in veridical and illusory perceptions of parallelism. The magnitude of the illusory effects was inversely related to S's aptitude for spatial visualization, the highest r being –.98. The two tests correlated +.92. A theory of apparent parallelism is proposed.
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