6.1 Figure-ground segregation
6 min read•august 20, 2024
- segregation is a crucial aspect of visual perception that allows us to distinguish objects from their surroundings. This fundamental process enables us to make sense of our visual world by identifying and interacting with objects in our environment.
The principles of figure-ground segregation, including Gestalt laws and factors affecting assignment, help explain how our brains organize visual information. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping how we perceive and interpret the complex visual scenes we encounter daily.
Principles of figure-ground segregation
- Figure-ground segregation involves distinguishing an object (figure) from its surrounding area (ground)
- Fundamental aspect of visual perception enables us to identify and interact with objects in our environment
- Gestalt psychologists proposed a set of laws that govern how we group and segregate visual elements
Gestalt laws for segregation
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- elements that are close together tend to be perceived as part of the same group
- items with similar visual properties (color, shape, size) are more likely to be grouped together
- smooth, continuous lines or curves are preferred over abrupt changes in direction
- incomplete or fragmented shapes are often perceived as complete, forming a single figure
- elements moving in the same direction are perceived as belonging to the same group
Rubin's vase vs faces illusion
- Classic example of figure-ground reversal demonstrates how our perception can alternate between two interpretations
- When focusing on the white area, a vase is perceived as the figure against a black background
- Shifting attention to the black areas reveals two faces in profile, with the white area now acting as the ground
- Highlights the dynamic nature of figure-ground assignment and the role of attention in perceptual organization
Factors affecting figure-ground assignment
- Various visual properties influence which elements are perceived as the figure and which are seen as the ground
- These factors can work together or compete, leading to stable or ambiguous figure-ground segregation
Size vs surroundedness
- Smaller regions tend to be perceived as figures against a larger background (size principle)
- Surrounded regions are more likely to be seen as figures, while surrounding areas are interpreted as the ground
Symmetry vs asymmetry
- Symmetrical regions are more often perceived as figures compared to asymmetrical ones
- Symmetry along vertical, horizontal, or diagonal axes can contribute to figure-ground assignment
Convexity vs concavity
- Convex regions (curved outward) are more likely to be perceived as figures than concave regions (curved inward)
- Convexity principle suggests that figures are often interpreted as having a convex shape
Orientation vs position
- Regions oriented horizontally or vertically tend to be seen as figures more often than obliquely oriented regions
- Elements in the lower part of the visual field are more likely to be perceived as figures (ground is usually below the figure)
Contrast vs similarity
- High-contrast regions (difference in brightness or color) are more often perceived as figures against a low-contrast background
- Elements with similar visual properties (texture, pattern) are more likely to be grouped together and seen as the ground
Meaningfulness vs ambiguity
- Regions that are meaningful or familiar (recognizable objects, faces) are more readily perceived as figures
- Ambiguous or unfamiliar shapes are more likely to be interpreted as the ground or lead to unstable figure-ground assignment
Neural mechanisms of segregation
- Figure-ground segregation involves the interaction of multiple brain regions and neural processes
- Research has identified specific areas and cell types that contribute to the perception of figures and grounds
Role of early visual areas
- Primary visual cortex (V1) and secondary visual cortex (V2) play a crucial role in figure-ground processing
- Neurons in these areas respond selectively to the properties of figures (contours, contrast, orientation)
- Activity in V1 and V2 is modulated by feedback from higher cortical areas, influencing figure-ground assignment
Border-ownership cells in V2
- Discovered in the secondary visual cortex of monkeys, border-ownership cells respond selectively to the side of a figure to which a border belongs
- These cells exhibit enhanced activity when their preferred border is part of a figure, signaling the direction of figure-ground assignment
- Border-ownership cells contribute to the encoding of depth, occlusion, and the perception of solid objects
Feedback from higher cortical areas
- Figure-ground segregation involves top-down feedback from higher-order visual areas (V4, lateral occipital complex)
- These areas process more complex visual features and contribute to object recognition and scene understanding
- Feedback signals help resolve ambiguities in figure-ground assignment and guide the allocation of attention to relevant figures
Development of segregation abilities
- Figure-ground segregation is a fundamental perceptual skill that develops early in life and undergoes changes across the lifespan
- Studying the development of figure-ground perception provides insights into the maturation of the visual system and perceptual organization
Infants' figure-ground perception
- Infants as young as 3-4 months old demonstrate the ability to segregate figures from their background
- Preferential looking paradigms reveal that infants spend more time looking at regions with clear figure-ground boundaries
- Development of figure-ground segregation in infancy is influenced by visual experience and the maturation of neural pathways
Changes across lifespan
- Figure-ground segregation abilities continue to develop and refine throughout childhood and adolescence
- Improvements in figure-ground perception are linked to the maturation of visual cortical areas and the strengthening of feedback connections
- In older adults, figure-ground segregation may decline due to age-related changes in visual processing and neural connectivity
Applications of figure-ground research
- Understanding the principles of figure-ground segregation has practical implications across various domains
- Insights from figure-ground research can inform the design of visual displays, user interfaces, and techniques
Camouflage in nature vs military
- Many animals use camouflage to blend into their surroundings, disrupting figure-ground segregation and avoiding detection by predators (leaf-tailed gecko, cuttlefish)
- Military camouflage employs similar principles to conceal personnel and equipment by breaking up contours and blending with the environment (digital camouflage patterns)
Graphic design principles
- Graphic designers use figure-ground principles to create effective visual compositions and guide viewers' attention
- Manipulating contrast, color, and shape can emphasize important elements (logos, text) and create a clear visual hierarchy
- Gestalt principles inform layout decisions, grouping related elements and creating a cohesive design
User interface design
- Figure-ground segregation is crucial for the usability and clarity of user interfaces in software and web design
- Effective use of contrast, whitespace, and grouping helps users distinguish interactive elements (buttons, links) from the background
- Consistency in design elements and adherence to Gestalt principles enhance the intuitiveness and learnability of interfaces
Atypical figure-ground processing
- Abnormalities in figure-ground segregation have been observed in various neurological and psychiatric conditions
- Studying atypical figure-ground processing can provide insights into the neural basis of perception and the nature of these disorders
Segregation in visual agnosia
- Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by difficulty recognizing objects despite intact visual acuity
- Some types of visual agnosia (apperceptive agnosia) involve impairments in figure-ground segregation and perceptual grouping
- Patients with visual agnosia may struggle to distinguish objects from their background or perceive the global shape of an object
Altered perception in schizophrenia
- Individuals with schizophrenia often exhibit abnormalities in visual perception, including deficits in figure-ground segregation
- Studies have shown that people with schizophrenia are less influenced by contextual cues and have difficulty integrating visual information
- These alterations in figure-ground processing may contribute to the perceptual disturbances and fragmented visual experiences reported in schizophrenia
Future directions in research
- Figure-ground segregation remains an active area of research, with ongoing efforts to understand its neural basis and develop computational models
- Emerging technologies and methodologies offer new opportunities to investigate the mechanisms and applications of figure-ground processing
Computational models of segregation
- Computational models aim to simulate the processes underlying figure-ground segregation and predict human performance
- These models incorporate principles of perceptual organization, neural dynamics, and feedback mechanisms
- Developing accurate computational models can help elucidate the complex interactions between bottom-up and top-down processes in figure-ground assignment
Brain stimulation studies
- Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation) can modulate neural activity in specific brain regions
- Applying brain stimulation to areas involved in figure-ground processing (V1, V2, higher-order areas) can help establish causal relationships between neural activity and perceptual outcomes
- Future studies using brain stimulation can investigate the role of feedback connections and the temporal dynamics of figure-ground segregation
Key Terms to Review (20)
Ambiguity: Ambiguity refers to a situation where something can be understood or interpreted in multiple ways. In the context of perception, ambiguity arises when the visual information presented to an observer can lead to different interpretations of what is being seen, often resulting in confusion. This is particularly relevant in figure-ground segregation, where the distinction between the figure (the object of focus) and the background can be unclear, leading to multiple possible perceptions of a scene.
Camouflage: Camouflage is a visual adaptation that enables an organism to blend into its environment, making it harder for predators or prey to detect. This phenomenon can be understood through figure-ground segregation, where the ability to differentiate between the object (figure) and its surroundings (ground) is crucial. Effective camouflage alters the visual cues that help in this segregation, allowing the camouflaged object to merge seamlessly with its background.
Contour: Contour refers to the outline or boundary that defines the shape of an object, helping to distinguish it from its background. It plays a crucial role in figure-ground segregation, where the visual system separates an object (figure) from its surrounding area (ground) by identifying its edges and contours. Understanding contours is essential for recognizing shapes and patterns in visual perception.
Depth Perception: Depth perception is the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and judge distances between objects. This ability relies on various visual cues and mechanisms, which are influenced by the anatomy of the eye, the brain's processing of visual information, and perceptual organization, including how we segregate figures from backgrounds and group objects based on their proximity and continuity. Understanding depth perception also involves recognizing how we perceive motion and spatial changes as we navigate through environments.
Figure: In the realm of perception, a figure refers to the object or shape that is distinguished from its background during visual processing. This concept is crucial for understanding how we interpret complex scenes by separating objects of interest from their surroundings, allowing us to focus on what matters in our visual field.
Gestalt theory: Gestalt theory is a psychological approach that emphasizes how individuals perceive entire structures or patterns rather than just the sum of their parts. It focuses on the idea that our brains are wired to see things in an organized way, leading us to perceive objects as whole forms rather than separate components. This perspective is foundational in understanding various perceptual phenomena, highlighting how we organize visual information in meaningful ways.
Ground: In perception, ground refers to the background or context against which an object (the figure) is perceived. The distinction between figure and ground is crucial for understanding how we interpret visual scenes, as our brain organizes sensory information by assigning a focal point (figure) and a supporting backdrop (ground). This process allows us to make sense of complex visual environments.
Law of closure: The law of closure is a perceptual principle that suggests our minds tend to fill in gaps in visual information to perceive a complete object, even when parts of it are missing. This tendency allows us to recognize shapes and forms more easily, making sense of incomplete or fragmented images. It plays a crucial role in how we interpret figure-ground relationships and the organization of visual scenes.
Law of Common Fate: The law of common fate is a perceptual principle that states that elements that move together are perceived as part of the same object or group. This principle highlights how motion can influence our perception of grouping, suggesting that we tend to see things as belonging together when they share the same direction and speed of movement, making it significant in understanding how we segregate figures from their backgrounds and perceive continuity in visual scenes.
Law of Continuity: The Law of Continuity states that elements that are arranged in a straight line or smooth curve tend to be perceived as a group. This principle is rooted in the idea that our brains prefer to see connected and continuous patterns over abrupt changes or discontinuities. This concept is crucial in figure-ground segregation, as it helps us distinguish between an object (figure) and its background (ground) by organizing visual information into coherent structures.
Law of Proximity: The law of proximity is a principle in perception that states objects that are close to each other tend to be grouped together by the brain. This grouping occurs naturally and helps our minds organize visual stimuli into coherent forms. The law is crucial for understanding how we perceive patterns and structures in our environment, influencing concepts such as figure-ground segregation, spatial relationships between elements, and the perception of continuous shapes.
Law of Similarity: The law of similarity is a principle of perceptual organization that states that elements that are similar to each other tend to be grouped together in perception. This concept is fundamental in understanding how we organize visual information, influencing both figure-ground segregation and the continuity of patterns we perceive in our environment.
Max Wertheimer: Max Wertheimer was a prominent psychologist and one of the founding figures of Gestalt psychology, which focuses on how humans perceive and interpret visual stimuli as whole forms rather than just a collection of parts. His work emphasized the principles of perceptual organization, helping to explain how we distinguish objects from their backgrounds and how we group visual elements based on their relationships and characteristics.
Necker Cube: The Necker Cube is a classic optical illusion that represents a simple wireframe cube, which can be perceived in two different orientations. This perception highlights the brain's tendency to interpret ambiguous visual information, leading to alternating interpretations of the same image. The Necker Cube illustrates important concepts related to depth perception, figure-ground segregation, geometrical illusions, and multistable perception.
Perceptual Rivalry: Perceptual rivalry refers to the phenomenon where two or more competing perceptual interpretations arise from the same sensory input, leading to fluctuating perceptions over time. This concept is crucial for understanding how the brain processes ambiguous stimuli, often resulting in alternating experiences of one interpretation over another. It showcases the dynamic nature of perception, as well as the brain's ability to switch between different interpretations, shedding light on cognitive processes involved in visual perception.
Rubin's Vase: Rubin's Vase is a famous optical illusion that presents a figure-ground ambiguity, where the viewer can perceive either a vase or two faces in profile depending on the focus of attention. This dual perception illustrates how our brain interprets visual information and distinguishes between objects (figures) and their backgrounds (ground), highlighting the complexities of visual processing.
Rudolf Arnheim: Rudolf Arnheim was a prominent psychologist and art theorist known for his contributions to the understanding of visual perception and the psychology of art. His work emphasized the cognitive processes involved in perceiving visual information and how those processes influence our interpretation of art, particularly in terms of figure-ground segregation and closure, which are fundamental aspects of how we organize and make sense of visual stimuli.
Selective attention: Selective attention is the cognitive process that allows individuals to focus on specific stimuli in their environment while ignoring others. This process is crucial for managing the vast amount of sensory information we encounter daily, enabling us to prioritize and respond to what's most relevant or important. By filtering out distractions, selective attention helps enhance our perception of objects and events in our surroundings, impacting how we experience the world.
Texture Gradient: Texture gradient refers to the gradual change in the density and detail of surface texture as objects recede into the distance, allowing observers to perceive depth and distance in a visual scene. This visual cue is essential for understanding spatial relationships in our environment, influencing how we distinguish between figure and ground, interpret depth using monocular cues, and perceive geometric shapes in relation to one another.
Visual dominance: Visual dominance refers to the tendency for visual stimuli to take precedence over other sensory modalities, particularly auditory information, when integrating perceptual experiences. This phenomenon highlights how our perception can be heavily influenced by what we see, often overshadowing what we hear. This effect is crucial for understanding how we process information from our environment and can impact various perceptual tasks, including identifying figures against backgrounds and multisensory integration.