Autokinetic effect
The autokinetic effect is an optical illusion in which small fixed light sources or a briefly presented stationary point of light in the field of vision are perceived as moving in an otherwise dark environment. The perceived direction and the range of motion can vary greatly.
causes
The perception of movement (or a stationary position) is always in relation to a reference point; Against a uniform, low-stimulus background, this reference point is missing and the position of the light point is not clearly anchored. It is assumed that involuntary eye movements (especially when tired) play a role in the occurrence of the effect - but the movement experienced does not correspond 1: 1 to the eye movements.
Autokinetic effect during night flights
During night flights, pilots can find themselves in a situation in which they have to assign individual light points in an otherwise black environment and locate them correctly (for example a light on the ground or a star). The autokinetic effect can give the illusion that this point belongs to another aircraft on a collision course. The risk factor here is wanting to correct this apparent collision course .
Autokinetic effect when fishing at night
When fishing from high seat with illuminated poses , which emit a weak light with stick lights or other light sources, no reference point to other objects can be made out on a smooth water surface. This often leads to the fact that a movement of the pose , which normally indicates a fish was bitten, is perceived but did not actually take place.
Autokinetic effect and mind adjustment
Since the perceived movement of a point of light does not have an objective basis in the case of the autokinetic effect, it is well suited for examining the formation of opinions in groups. In 1935, Muzafer Sherif had participants assess this movement in an experiment and communicate the judgment either alone or in a group context. It could be shown that the judgments given in the group converged after a few rounds, so the reported ranges of movement were equal. This conformity in the judgments was retained even if the group members were to judge individually again.
literature
- Goldstein, Bruce E .: Perceptual Psychology , Spektrum Verlag, 2007, ISBN 382741766X
- US Air Force (2000). Flying Operations, Instrument Flight Procedures. Air Force Manual 11-217. Volume 1, December 29, 2000.
- Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine, second edition, by Roy L. DeHart. Port City Press, 1996
Individual evidence
- ↑ Sherif, M. (1935). A study of some social factors in perception. Archives of Psychology , 27 (187).