autokinetic effect

n. This is a well-documented perceptual phenomenon. In a darkened room, or under other circumstances in which a visual point of reference is unavailable (such as looking at a single star through a paper cylinder), a stationary light will appear to move. Psychologists attribute the apparent movement to some combination of involuntary eye movement and the necessity ofvisual reference points for perception of movement. The autokinetic effect has been used to demonstrate social influence: participants' estimates of the movement of the light will vary greatly, depending on estimates provided by prior participants. For example, if a participant observes the autokinetic effect and hears prior estimates of either (1) 1 foot or (2) 5 feet, the participants' estimate of the light’s movement will generally be higher in condition 2 as compared to condition 1.

一 MWP