In a nutshell
An object can change color or position between two images without being noticed immediately. This is especially likely when a brief blank screen or another interruption occurs in between.
Why does it happen?
A change is recognized when relevant information is attended to, retained, and compared with the new image. An interruption masks the otherwise conspicuous local change signals. Missing it alone does not show that no information about the original scene was stored.
Frequency
Change blindness is common in suitable tasks even in healthy people. The measured rate depends heavily on task design and is not a fixed personal trait.
Frequency is a qualitative description, not your individual probability.
Is it normal?
A normal limit of attention and comparison.
Does this happen to you?
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Sources (1)
- Change blindness: past, present, and future (opens a new tab)
Major changes can go unnoticed; the review explains limits of attention and of conclusions about memory.
Editorial update: . AI-assisted research and editing; not individually reviewed by a physician. How we research
