Describe some of the principles of perceptual organization.
The principles of perceptual organization were put forward by Wertheimer. He believed that the objects are perceived in the similar manner, as in the case with apparent motion. The perception of an object is done as a whole, not in the form of clusters of the individual sensations. Whenever a being senses shape or patterns, perceptual organization occurs in an instant.
The organization is done, by connecting the individual parts of the perceptual field. These parts, then unite to form distinctive structures. These principles work in harmony with the Gestalt theory. The brain following mechanical association connects the various sensory elements. The elements which are similar combine, and those which are different from with each other do not show such tendency.
The principles of perceptual organization are as follows:
1. Proximity: The elements which are in proximity to each other in time or space are more likely to be perceived together.
2. Continuity: The perception has a sense of direction. The different elementary sensations are connected in such a way that they seem to be continuous, flowing in a definite direction.
3. Similarity: The similar elements are perceived together, taking the form of a group.
4. Closure: This is the tendency to complete what is incomplete.
5. Simplicity: The mind seeks to perceive the object or stimulus in the most stable and symmetrical manner possible.
6. Figure/Ground: There is an attempt to organize the perception into figure an ground. The figure refers to the object being looked at, and ground refers to the background against which the object is being viewed.