Common Fate

Common fate is a principle in perception stating that elements moving in the same direction or speed are perceived as part of a unified group or pattern. For example, a flock of birds flying together appears as a single coordinated unit rather than individual birds. This tendency helps our brains organize complex visual scenes efficiently, allowing us to interpret motion and groupings more easily. Essentially, when objects move together, our visual system instinctively groups them, enhancing our understanding of their relationship and motion within the environment.