---
title: "Figure-Ground — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Figure-ground is the Gestalt principle of separating an object from its background. See how AP Psych Topic 3.4 tests it alongside closure, proximity, and similarity."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/figure-ground"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Figure-Ground — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

In visual perception, 'figure-ground' refers to the ability of our brain to distinguish an object or figure from its background. It involves perceiving a clear and distinct shape (the figure) that stands out against a less defined and more ambiguous background (the ground).

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Proximity](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/proximity): This term refers to how objects that are close together tend to be perceived as belonging together.
- [Closure](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/closure): Closure is when we perceive incomplete figures or shapes as complete by filling in missing information.
- [Similarity](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/similarity): Similarity refers to our tendency to group things together based on their similar characteristics, such as shape or color.