AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The so-called phi phenomenon is an illusion of movement that arises when stationary objects-light bulbs, for example-are placed side by side and illuminated rapidly one after another. The effect is frequently used on theatre marquees to give the impression of moving lights.

Detailed explanation-2: -(1) The “Phi” phenomenon. That refers to the observation that we can perceive continuous movement although only a sequence of static images is presented, this is also known as “apparent motion”. Max Wertheimer (1912) called it “phi” because he studied circular motion where the angle phi parameterised the step size.

Detailed explanation-3: -1. an illusion of apparent movement seen when two lights flash on and off about 150 m apart. The light appears to move from one location to the other. The phi phenomenon is a form of beta movement.

Detailed explanation-4: -For phi phenomenon, two stimuli A and B are presented successively, what you perceive is some motion passing over A and B; while for beta movement, still with two stimuli A and B presented in succession, what you perceive would be an object actually passing from position A to position B.

Detailed explanation-5: -The phi phenomenon is a type of perceptual illusion that tricks your eyes into thinking that still images are actually moving. Perceptual illusions are part of a field of psychology known as Gestalt psychology.