Definition:

The Law of Common Fate is a principle of Gestalt psychology that states elements that move in the same direction and at the same speed are perceived as belonging together or forming a group.

Key Points:

• Movement: The Law of Common Fate focuses on the perception of movement within a visual stimulus.
• Grouping: When elements within a scene exhibit similar movement, they are automatically grouped together by the observer’s visual system.
• Direction and Speed: For elements to be perceived as belonging together, they must have consistent direction and speed of movement.
• Group Formation: The perceived grouping due to common fate contributes to the organization and segmentation of visual scenes, aiding in the interpretation of complex stimuli.
• Visual Processing: The Law of Common Fate is an example of how the brain applies simplifying principles to visual stimuli, allowing for efficient processing and interpretation of the visual world.