The Invisible Gorilla

In court, witness perceptions often vary.  Did a car run a red light or was the light turning red?  Was a man's shirt black or deep blue?  Who threw the first punch?  What time did Mr. Smith leave the bar?  Two people will give different answers and swear they are right.  Sometimes the difference is over a major detail.  For example, in describing what they saw at the scene of a robbery,  one witness might say he's certain he saw a chrome-plated gun, the perpetrator was black, and his companion wore a white dress shirt.  Another witness may say with equal conviction there was no gun, the robber was Hispanic, and his accomplice wore a light jacket.  These differences can be ascribed to variables such as lighting conditions, stress, bias, motivation to lie, time's effect on memory, or merely the opportunity one had to observe.

How well can you recall a short event?  Would you and your friends remember the same thing?  This video is a good demonstration.  Sit back, relax, and test your powers of observation.