Definition of Figure-Ground

Figure-Ground is a perceptual concept in cognitive psychology that refers to the ability to distinguish an object or figure (the “figure”) from its surrounding background (the “ground”).

Using this concept, individuals are able to separate an object from its environment and assign it visual significance. The figure is typically seen as the foreground, while the ground is viewed as the background against which the figure stands out.

The figure-ground relationship plays an essential role in visual perception, aiding in the organization of visual information and helping individuals understand and interpret their surroundings.

Various factors, such as contrast, color, size, and placement, influence the perception of figure and ground. These elements can cause the figure to appear more dominant or prominent, while the ground becomes less noticeable or fades into the background.

Figure-ground perception allows individuals to focus their attention on specific objects or figures within a visual scene, aiding in object recognition, spatial awareness, and overall comprehension of the visual environment.