Autokinetic effect
Encyclopedia
The autokinetic effect is a phenomenon of human visual perception
in which a stationary, small point of light in an otherwise dark or featureless environment appears to move. It was first recorded by a Russian officer keeping watch who observed illusory movement of a star near the horizon. It presumably occurs because motion
perception is always relative
to some reference point. In darkness or in a featureless environment there is no reference point, so the movement of the single point is undefined. The direction of the movements does not appear to be correlated with the involuntary eye movements, but may be determined by errors between eye position and that specified by efference copy
of the movement signals sent to the extraocular muscles
.
The amplitude of the movements is also undefined. Individual observers set their own frames of reference to judge amplitude (and possibly direction). Because the phenomenon is labile, it has been used to show the effects of social influence
or suggestion
on judgments. For example, if an observer who would otherwise say the light is moving one foot overhears another observer say the light is moving one yard then the first observer will report that the light moved one yard. Discovery of the influence of suggestion on the autokinetic effect is often attributed to Sherif
(1935), but it was recorded by Adams
(1912), if not others.
Many sightings of UFOs have also been attributed to the autokinetic effect's action on stars or planets.
' novel The War of the Worlds. Although Wells ascribes the apparent "swimming" of the planet to telescope vibration and eye fatigue, it is likely that the autokinetic effect is also being described:
who fly at night. It is particularly dangerous for pilots flying in formation or rejoining a refueling tanker
at night. Steps that can be taken to prevent or overcome the phenomenon include:
documents an incident wherein at night, in the Iraqi desert, the Marines observed the lights of a town approximately 40 kilometers away. These lights appeared to be moving and were suspected of belonging to a large combat force moving out to attack the Marines. An airstrike was called in on the estimated position of the lights - estimated to be around 15 kilometers away - which resulted in no enemy assests being destroyed. It was later suggested by Major Shoup of the Battalion that this misidentification was a result of Autokinesis. In the HBO miniseries based on the book
, this information was imparted to the viewer by the character of Sergeant Brad Colbert.
Night Fighter and Night Bomber crews during the Second World War reported encounters with Foo Fighter
s.
Visual perception
Visual perception is the ability to interpret information and surroundings from the effects of visible light reaching the eye. The resulting perception is also known as eyesight, sight, or vision...
in which a stationary, small point of light in an otherwise dark or featureless environment appears to move. It was first recorded by a Russian officer keeping watch who observed illusory movement of a star near the horizon. It presumably occurs because motion
Motion (physics)
In physics, motion is a change in position of an object with respect to time. Change in action is the result of an unbalanced force. Motion is typically described in terms of velocity, acceleration, displacement and time . An object's velocity cannot change unless it is acted upon by a force, as...
perception is always relative
Relative
-General use:*Kinship, the principle binding the most basic social units society. If two people are connected by circumstances of birth, they are said to be relatives-Philosophy:...
to some reference point. In darkness or in a featureless environment there is no reference point, so the movement of the single point is undefined. The direction of the movements does not appear to be correlated with the involuntary eye movements, but may be determined by errors between eye position and that specified by efference copy
Efference copy
right|thumb|282px|Efference copies are created with our own movement but not those of other people. This is why other people can tickle us but we cannot [[tickle]] ourselves .Efference copy is an internal copy created with a motor command of its predicted movement and its...
of the movement signals sent to the extraocular muscles
Extraocular muscles
The extraocular muscles are the six muscles that control the movements of the eye . The actions of the extraocular muscles depend on the position of the eye at the time of muscle contraction.-List of muscles:-Importance:...
.
The amplitude of the movements is also undefined. Individual observers set their own frames of reference to judge amplitude (and possibly direction). Because the phenomenon is labile, it has been used to show the effects of social influence
Social influence
Social influence occurs when an individual's thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by other people. Social influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales, and marketing...
or suggestion
Suggestion
Suggestion is the psychological process by which one person guides the thoughts, feelings, or behaviour of another. Nineteenth century writers on psychology such as William James used the words "suggest" and "suggestion" in senses close to those they have in common speech—one idea was said to...
on judgments. For example, if an observer who would otherwise say the light is moving one foot overhears another observer say the light is moving one yard then the first observer will report that the light moved one yard. Discovery of the influence of suggestion on the autokinetic effect is often attributed to Sherif
Muzafer Sherif
Muzafer Sherif was one of the founders of social psychology...
(1935), but it was recorded by Adams
Henry Foster Adams
Henry Foster Adams was a psychologist and writer. He published several scientific articles and books on psychology.Among his works are Advertising and its Mental Laws and The Ways of the Mind: The Study and Use of Psychology ....
(1912), if not others.
Many sightings of UFOs have also been attributed to the autokinetic effect's action on stars or planets.
In literature
An evocative passage appears in H. G. WellsH. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
' novel The War of the Worlds. Although Wells ascribes the apparent "swimming" of the planet to telescope vibration and eye fatigue, it is likely that the autokinetic effect is also being described:
In aviation
The effect is well known as an illusion affecting pilotsSensory Illusions in Aviation
Because human senses are adapted for use on the ground, navigating by sensory input alone during flight can be dangerous: sensory input does not always accurately reflect the movement of the aircraft, causing sensory illusions. These illusions can be extremely dangerous for pilots.-Vestibular...
who fly at night. It is particularly dangerous for pilots flying in formation or rejoining a refueling tanker
Aerial refueling
Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling , air-to-air refueling or tanking, is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight....
at night. Steps that can be taken to prevent or overcome the phenomenon include:
- Shifting your gaze frequently to avoid prolonged fixation on light sources.
- Attempting to view a target with a reference to stationary structures or landmarks.
- Making eye, head, and body movements to eliminate the illusion.
- Monitoring the flight instrumentsFlight instrumentsFlight instruments are the instruments in the cockpit of an aircraft that provide the pilot with information about the flight situation of that aircraft, such as height, speed and altitude...
to prevent or resolve any perceptual conflict.
In Combat
In his book documenting the opening stages of the second Gulf War from his position embedded with the 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion, Evan WrightEvan Wright
Evan Wright is an American writer, journalist, author and television writer and producer. He has reported extensively on subcultures for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. His latest work is American Desperado, a book he co-wrote with Jon Roberts, who was featured in the documentary the Cocaine...
documents an incident wherein at night, in the Iraqi desert, the Marines observed the lights of a town approximately 40 kilometers away. These lights appeared to be moving and were suspected of belonging to a large combat force moving out to attack the Marines. An airstrike was called in on the estimated position of the lights - estimated to be around 15 kilometers away - which resulted in no enemy assests being destroyed. It was later suggested by Major Shoup of the Battalion that this misidentification was a result of Autokinesis. In the HBO miniseries based on the book
Generation Kill (TV series)
Generation Kill is a 2008 HBO television miniseries based on the book of the same name by Evan Wright about his experience as an embedded reporter with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the United States Marine Corps during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It was adapted for television by David Simon,...
, this information was imparted to the viewer by the character of Sergeant Brad Colbert.
Night Fighter and Night Bomber crews during the Second World War reported encounters with Foo Fighter
Foo fighter
The term foo fighter was used by Allied aircraft pilots in World War II to describe various UFOs or mysterious aerial phenomena seen in the skies over both the European and Pacific Theater of Operations....
s.