Figure-Ground Perception in Psychology

Figure-ground perception refers to the tendency of the visual system to simplify a scene into the main object we are looking at (the figure) and everything else that forms the background (or ground).

The concept of figure-ground perception is often illustrated with the classic "faces or vases" illusion, also known as the Rubin vase. Depending on whether you see the black or the white as the figure, you may see either two faces in profile (meaning you perceive the dark color as the figure) or a vase in the center (indicating you see the white color as the figure).

The Roots of Figure/Ground Perception

The concept of figure-ground perception emerged out of the field of Gestalt psychology. According to the Gestalt approach, the whole is more (or different) than the sum of its parts. The term Gestalt itself comes from the German word meaning "form" or "shape."

During the 1920s, a number of German psychologists including Max Wertheimer and Wolfgang Kohler began studying different principles of perception that govern how people make sense of an often disorderly world. Their work led to what is known as the Gestalt laws of perceptual organization.

For example, if you look at shapes drawn on a piece of paper, your mind will likely group the shapes in terms of things such as similarity or proximity. Objects that are similar to one another tend to be grouped together. Objects that are near each other also tend to be grouped together.

While the concept of figure-ground perception is an important principle in Gestalt psychology, it is usually not identified as one of the laws of perceptual organization.

How We Distinguish Between Figure and Ground

When looking at a visual scene, people tend to look for ways to differentiate between the figure and the ground. Some ways that people accomplish this include:

• Blurriness: Have you ever noticed how objects in the foreground tend to be crisp and distinct while those in the background are blurry or hazy? We use this type of visual information to determine whether something is the figure (crisp) or the background (blurry).
• Contrast: The high contrast between objects can lead to the perception of figure and ground. The Rubin vase is one example. The vase is often depicted in white while the figures are black (or vice versa). The high contrast between the two helps us separate them into figure/ground.
• Size: We usually perceive large images as closer and small figures as being further off in the distance.
• Separation: When we see an object isolated from everything else in a visual scene, we are more likely to view that object as the figure versus the background.

Examples of Figure/Ground

The "faces or vases" illustration is one of the most frequently cited demonstrations of figure-ground. What w see when we look at the faces or vases illusion depends on whether we see the white as the figure or the black as the figure.

If you see the white as the figure, you perceive a vase. If you see the black as the figure, you see two faces in the profile.

The artist M.C. Escher famously used this concept to create a number of fascinating figure-ground reversals. His elaborate drawings often include clever visuals that trick the eye and create fascinating figure-ground changes.

What Figure/Ground Problems Might Mean

Certain visual processing issues might make it hard to distinguish between figure and ground. This involves more than just struggling to switch how you see a trickly optical illusion. Some signs that you might notice include:

• Having a hard time finding images in "hidden picture" games
• Struggling to pick out words on a page or details in an image
• Problems scanning a page of text to find information
• Difficulty reading when the text seems very small or crammed onto the page

How to Improve Your Figure/Ground Detection Skills

Struggling with such skills might indicate a visual problem, but in some cases it might just mean that you need to strengthen your figure/ground perception skills. 

The good news is that there are plenty of intriguing activities to help boost your ability to spot hidden shapes and patterns in the world around you.

• Puzzles: If you like putting together puzzles, they can be a great way to get better at detecting figure/ground differences. Try starting with easier puzzles and gradually ramp up the complexity.
• Reading: If you are a reader, you can use your literary passion to boost your figure/ground perception skills. The next time you're devouring the latest viral BookTok recommendation, challenge yourself to pick specific words out of a page of text.
• Optical illusions: If you are looking for a fun and fascinating way to hone your skills, try spotting the hidden shapes or images in optical illusions. Some of these involve learning how to shift your focus to switch between figure and ground, which can be an intriguing challenge
• Get outside: Spending time in nature can help you practice those figure/ground skills in real-world settings. Pay attention to the sights and sounds around you and notice the objects that may be camouflaged among the leaves, grass, and other foliage you encounter.
• Play photographer: Whether snapping images on your phone or learning to use a DSLR camera, practicing your photography skills can be a great way to hone your ability to distinguish figure from ground.

Feel free to adapt your practice to your interests and hobbies. Reading comic books, playing video games, or using mindfulness coloring books can also be a way to practice your figure/ground perception skills.