Rubin's Vase

Definition

Rubin's vase is a famous optical illusion that demonstrates the Gestalt principle of figure-ground perception. It depicts a vase or chalice shape in the center, which can also be perceived as two human faces in profile facing each other on the sides.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rubin's vase was created by the Danish psychologist Edgar Rubin in the early 20th century to demonstrate the Gestalt principle of figure-ground perception.
2. The image can be perceived as either a vase or two human faces in profile, depending on which part of the image the viewer focuses on as the figure and which part is perceived as the ground.
3. Rubin's vase illustrates how the brain organizes visual information and makes sense of ambiguous or reversible images, a key concept in Gestalt psychology.
4. The ability to switch between the two interpretations of the image, the vase, and the faces, is an example of the Gestalt principle of multistability, where the visual system can perceive multiple stable interpretations of the same stimulus.
5. Rubin's vase is often used in introductory psychology courses to teach students about the Gestalt principles of perception and how the brain processes visual information.

Review Questions

• Explain how Rubin's vase demonstrates the Gestalt principle of figure-ground perception.
  • Rubin's vase illustrates the Gestalt principle of figure-ground perception by presenting an ambiguous image that can be interpreted as either a vase or two human faces in profile. The viewer's perception of the image shifts between the vase as the figure and the faces as the ground, or vice versa, depending on which part of the image they focus on. This demonstrates how the brain organizes visual information and distinguishes an object (the figure) from its surrounding environment (the ground).
• Describe how Rubin's vase relates to the Gestalt principle of multistability.
  • Rubin's vase exemplifies the Gestalt principle of multistability, which refers to the ability of the visual system to perceive multiple stable interpretations of the same stimulus. The image can be perceived as either a vase or two human faces in profile, and the viewer can consciously shift between these two interpretations. This ability to switch between the two stable percepts demonstrates how the brain can organize visual information in different ways, depending on the focus and context of the viewer.
• Analyze how Rubin's vase is used to teach the Gestalt principles of perception in introductory psychology courses.
  • Rubin's vase is a widely used tool in introductory psychology courses to teach students about the Gestalt principles of perception, particularly the principle of figure-ground perception. By presenting an ambiguous image that can be interpreted in multiple ways, Rubin's vase allows instructors to demonstrate how the brain organizes visual information and makes sense of ambiguous or reversible stimuli. Additionally, the ability to switch between the vase and the faces perception illustrates the Gestalt principle of multistability, providing students with a concrete example of how the visual system can generate different stable interpretations of the same visual input. The use of Rubin's vase in the classroom helps students understand the fundamental concepts of Gestalt psychology and how the brain processes and organizes visual information.

Related terms

Figure-Ground Perception: The ability to distinguish an object (the figure) from its surrounding environment (the ground), which is a fundamental aspect of human visual perception.

Gestalt Principles:

A set of principles in psychology that describe how humans typically organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes, such as similarity, proximity, closure, and continuity.

Optical Illusion: A visual effect that makes an image appear different from how it is in reality, often exploiting the way the human visual system and brain process information.