The term kinaesthetic aftereffect is indebted to the Greek words kinèsis (movement) and aisthèsis (feeling). It refers to an illusory movement-related experience which is influenced by an actual movement. An example of the kinaesthetic aftereffect is a contrast illusion induced by lifting a relatively light weight after having lifted a heavier weight, due to which the lighter weight will appear disproportionally lighter. Another example involves the ongoing rolling sensation experienced by sailors after disembarking. During the 1960s it was suggested that the kinaesthetic aftereffect can be used as a general psychometric measure known as the personality index. This idea was abandoned during the 1970s because of the poor retest reliability and intermittent validity of the so-called kinaesthetic aftereffect task. The kinaesthetic aftereffect is usually classified as a * physiological illusion.
References
Baker, A.H., Mishara, B.L., Kostin, I.W., Parker, L. (1976). Kinesthetic aftereffect and personality: A case study of issues involved in construct validation. Journal ofPersonality and Social Psychology, 34, 1-13.
Petrie, A. (1967). Individuality in pain and suffering. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Dictionary of Hallucinations. J.D. Blom. 2010.