What is 'figure-ground perception'?

Figure-ground perception is the ability to distinguish an object (the figure) from its surrounding environment (the ground). This perceptual process allows individuals to focus on a specific element while recognizing that it exists within a broader context. In essence, it involves recognizing that what you see in an image or scene is composed of two parts: the main subject and the backdrop against which it stands out. This is crucial for effective visual processing and is fundamental in various fields, including art, design, and even navigation in daily life.

Understanding figure-ground perception helps us interpret complex images and aids in tasks such as reading, where letters are the figures that need to be recognized against the white space of the page. It plays a central role in how we visually interpret our surroundings, allowing us to effortlessly notice and interact with important objects while ignoring irrelevant background details.