Autokinetic perception (English: Autokinetic perception) – is a psychological phenomenon in which a stationary light object observed in a dark environment without any visual references appears to move. This perceptual illusion illustrates how the brain tries to interpret ambiguous visual information.
This phenomenon was first described in the early 20th century and was used to study perception and attentional stability. Autokinetic perception shows how the brain seeks to create meaning under conditions of uncertainty by filling in missing information.
In experiments on autokinetic perception, a small luminous object against a dark background is often used. Observers report that the object appears to move, although in fact it remains stationary. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that, in the absence of other visual cues, such as reference points or contours, the brain cannot adequately interpret the object's position in space.
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