AP Psychology – Sensation and Perception Practice Test 2025 - Free AP Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The perception of a "moving picture" when watching a movie is attributed to stroboscopic movement. This phenomenon occurs when a series of still images are presented in rapid succession, typically at a rate that our eyes and brain interpret as continuous motion.

In the context of film, each frame of the movie is a static image, yet when these frames are projected quickly one after the other, our perceptual system fills in the gaps between them, creating the illusion of smooth movement. This is closely linked to the concept of phi phenomenon, where two or more stationary lights blink on and off in succession, causing the observer to perceive a single light moving back and forth.

Understanding stroboscopic movement highlights how our brains process visual information in a way that can lead to the perception of motion from discrete images, which is central to experiencing films and animated visuals.