Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryHow It WorksExamplesPotential ProblemsHow to Improve
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
How It Works
Examples
Potential Problems
How to Improve
Close
Figure-ground perception refers to the tendency of the visual system to simplify a scene into the main object we are looking at (the figure) and everything else that forms the background (or ground).
The concept of figure-ground perception is often illustrated with the classic “faces or vases” illusion, also known as the Rubin vase. Depending on whether you see the black or the white as the figure, you may see either two faces in profile (meaning you perceive the dark color as the figure) or a vase in the center (indicating you see the white color as the figure).
At a GlanceFigure/ground refers to how weperceive objectsto differentiate the main thing we are looking at from its background. We utilize different perceptual clues to help us do this, including blurriness, contrast, size differences, and separation between the figure and background. If you have a hard time distinguishing between figure and ground, activities such as jigsaw puzzles and optical illusions might help you hone these skills.
At a Glance
Figure/ground refers to how weperceive objectsto differentiate the main thing we are looking at from its background. We utilize different perceptual clues to help us do this, including blurriness, contrast, size differences, and separation between the figure and background. If you have a hard time distinguishing between figure and ground, activities such as jigsaw puzzles and optical illusions might help you hone these skills.
The Roots of Figure/Ground Perception
The concept of figure-ground perception emerged out of the field ofGestalt psychology. According to the Gestalt approach, the whole is more (or different) than the sum of its parts.The term Gestalt itself comes from the German word meaning “form” or “shape.”
During the 1920s, a number of German psychologists includingMax Wertheimerand Wolfgang Kohler began studying different principles of perception that govern how people make sense of an often disorderly world. Their work led to what is known as theGestalt laws of perceptual organization.
For example, if you look at shapes drawn on a piece of paper, your mind will likely group the shapes in terms of things such as similarity or proximity. Objects that are similar to one another tend to be grouped together. Objects that are near each other also tend to be grouped together.
While the concept of figure-ground perception is an important principle in Gestalt psychology, it is usually not identified as one of the laws of perceptual organization.
Figure-ground perception describes one of the most fundamental ways that we simplify a visual scene.
How We Distinguish Between Figure and Ground
When looking at a visual scene, people tend to look for ways to differentiate between the figure and the ground. Some ways that people accomplish this include:
Examples of Figure/Ground
The “faces or vases” illustration is one of the most frequently cited demonstrations of figure-ground. What w see when we look at the faces or vases illusion depends on whether we see the white as the figure or the black as the figure.
If you see the white as the figure, you perceive a vase. If you see the black as the figure, you see two faces in the profile.
Most people are able to reverse their perceptions and switch back and forth between the vase and faces images.
The artist M.C. Escher famously used this concept to create a number of fascinating figure-ground reversals.His elaborate drawings often include clever visuals that trick the eye and create fascinating figure-ground changes.
What Figure/Ground Problems Might Mean
Certain visual processing issues might make it hard to distinguish between figure and ground.This involves more than just struggling to switch how you see a trickly optical illusion. Some signs that you might notice include:
Talk to your doctor if you think you might have a visual processing problem that affects your ability to distinguish between figure and ground. They can refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
How to Improve Your Figure/Ground Detection Skills
Struggling with such skills might indicate a visual problem, but in some cases it might just mean that you need to strengthen your figure/ground perception skills.
The good news is that there are plenty of intriguing activities to help boost your ability to spot hidden shapes and patterns in the world around you.
Feel free to adapt your practice to your interests and hobbies. Reading comic books, playing video games, or usingmindfulness coloring bookscan also be a way to practice your figure/ground perception skills.
10 Cool Optical Illusions and How They Work
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wagemans J, Elder JH, Kubovy M, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception: I. Perceptual grouping and figure-ground organization.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1172-217. doi:10.1037/a0029333
Marini F, Marzi CA.Gestalt perceptual organization of visual stimuli captures attention automatically: Electrophysiological evidence.Front Hum Neurosci. 2016;10:446. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2016.00446
Van de Cruys S, Wagemans J.Putting reward in art: A tentative prediction error account of visual art.Iperception. 2011;2(9):1035‐1062. doi:10.1068/i0466aap
Piazzalunga C, Dui LG, Termine C, Bortolozzo M, Matteucci M, Ferrante S.Investigating visual perception impairments through serious games and eye tracking to anticipate handwriting difficulties.Sensors (Basel). 2023;23(4):1765. doi:10.3390/s23041765
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
