An introductory text reads, The Gestalt psychologists identified principles that explain how the brain naturally organizes sensory information into meaningful wholes rather than distinct parts and pieces. These principles help you navigate the world by allowing you to see, for example, that the path you are walking on continues on the other side of an intersection. Gestalt principles also help you make sense of the information presented in your textbooks. Let’s look at how this works.
The first principle titled figure-ground shows the map of the U S, where Texas state is highlighted. Text reads: We tend to perceive visual stimuli as figures existing on a background. On this map, one area becomes the focus, while the rest functions as background.
Another image shows 2 human silhouette face to face. Faces are highlighted and the background is shown dark. Text reads: Some stimuli, such as this classic figure-ground vase, are reversible figures. You see something different depending on whether you focus on the yellow or the black portion.
The second principle titled Law of Proximity shows 3 columns, each with 6 rows and each row with a pair of shaded circles. There is a gap between each column. Text reads: We tend to perceive objects that are near each other as a unit. This set of dots is perceived as three groups rather than six separate columns or 36 individual dots.
A double-bar graph is shown, where the bars correspond to men and women. Between each double graph there is a gap. Text reads: Proximity helps us read graphs like this one. We understand that bars close together should be compared.
The third principle titled Law of Similarity shows 10 columns, each with 4 rows. All the odd columns show squares and the even columns show circles. Text reads: We see objects as a group if they share features such as color or shape. In this example, we perceive eight vertical columns rather than four rows of alternating squares and dots.
A picture graph shows 0 to 25 in increments of 5 in the x-axis and Mexico, U S, and Canada in the y-axis. Mexico shows 5 houses colored in light blue; U S shows 6 houses colored in dark blue; and Canada shows 3 houses colored in green. Text reads: Similarity helps us read color-coded charts and graphs. We understand the graph above as having horizontal bars because we naturally group the similarly colored icons.
The fourth principle titled Law of Connectedness shows 9 columns and 5 rows of shaded circles. The third, fourth, and fifth columns are enclosed inside a rectangle box and the second row of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth column are striped out. Text reads: We tend to see objects as a group if there is something that connects them. In this group of dots, the ones enclosed in or connected by lines appear related even though all dots are the same.
A human head is shown, with outer layer marked as scalp, the layer beneath is labeled as skull, and the innermost layer is labeled as meninges. Text reads: In a textbook figure, connectedness helps us understand what is being labeled.
The fifth principle titled Law of Closure shows a solid circle, a circle with small gaps, a circle with larger gaps, and a circle with larger gaps then the solid part of the circle. Text reads: We tend to fill in incomplete parts of a line or figure. In this example, we perceive a circle even when the line is broken.
An image shows violet lines font capital letter A. Text reads: Closure allows us to read letters and images that are interrupted. We can read this letter even though it is made up of unconnected lines.
The sixth principle titled Law of Continuity shows 2 illustrations labeled A and B. A shows a X mark with dots equals a positive slope with dots plus a negative slope with dots. B shows a X mark with dots equals greater than sign with dots plus lesser than sign with dots. Text reads: We perceive groups where objects appear to be going in the same direction. In this example, we perceive the figure as made up of two continuous lines that intersect (A) rather than two angles that are brought together (B).
A scatterplot shows a diagonal pattern of data points from the bottom left of the graph to the top right. Text reads: Continuity helps us read graphs like this scatterplot, where we perceive the overall pattern.