Figure-Ground

Figure-ground perception is our ability to distinguish an object (the figure) from its surrounding environment (the ground). It helps us focus on a specific item while remaining aware of the overall background. For example, when you look at a painting, your brain identifies the main subject as the figure and the rest as the ground. This perceptual skill is essential for interpreting visual scenes, enabling us to recognize objects and understand spatial relationships efficiently. It operates automatically and is fundamental to how we organize and make sense of what we see around us.