Ground: Definition in Psychology and How it Works

Figure-ground perception refers to the tendency of the visual system to separate a scene into the main object we are looking at (the figure) and everything else that forms the background (or ground).

Understanding Figure-Ground Perception

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).

The Roots of Figure/Ground Perception

The concept of figure-ground perception emerged from the field of Gestalt psychology. Gestalt principles propose that the whole is more (or different) than the sum of its parts.

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:

• Blurriness: Objects in the foreground tend to be crisp and distinct while those in the background are blurry or hazy.
• Contrast: The high contrast between objects can lead to the perception of figure and ground.
• Size: We usually perceive large images as closer and small figures as being further off in the distance.
• Separation: When we see an object isolated from everything else in a visual scene, we are more likely to view that object as the figure versus the background.

Examples of Figure/Ground

• The "faces or vases" illustration is a common demonstration of figure-ground.
• The artist M.C. Escher famously used this concept to create a number of fascinating figure-ground reversals.

What Figure/Ground Problems Might Mean

Visual processing issues might make it hard to distinguish between figure and ground. Signs that you might notice include:

• Having a hard time finding images in "hidden picture" games
• Struggling to pick out words on a page or details in an image
• Problems scanning a page of text to find information
• Difficulty reading when the text seems very small or crammed onto the page

How to Improve Your Figure/Ground Detection Skills

• Puzzles and optical illusions can help improve your figure/ground perception skills.
• Reading, spending time in nature, and practicing photography can also be helpful.

Feel free to adapt your practice to your interests and hobbies. Practicing your figure/ground perception skills can help you make sense of the world around you and improve your visual processing abilities.