In a study, researchers showed participants a series of figures composed of dots and lines. One figure had dots arranged in two parallel rows; participants reported seeing two rows rather than a random scatter. Another figure had a circle with a small gap; participants reported seeing a complete circle. A third image had blue dots intermixed with red dots; participants grouped the blue dots into one shape and the red dots into another.
Perceiving the gapped circle as complete best illustrates which gestalt principle?
- A
Figure-ground
- B
Common fate
- C
Proximity
- Dcheck_circle
Closure
Explanation
Closure is the tendency to mentally fill in gaps to perceive a complete, recognizable figure. Figure-ground separates objects from background; common fate involves grouping objects moving together.