Law of Similarity

Law of Similarity

We tend to group objects together when they look similar.

Black & White Example

We see the rows as separate white circle rows and black circle rows, not columns with mixed colors.

Football Example

When two PA football teams play each other, we can separate them. This is because we assume that each team will be wearing different colors, and we group the similar colors together.

Law of Continuity

Law of Continuity

Our brains follow the most smooth, continuous path/pattern that we can find.

X Example

Our brains see the smoothest, most continuous path. This means we see X's as two straight lines instead of two angles.

Curved Line Example

 The most continuous line is the one highlighted in lighter blue. We see this segment as most continuous because it is the smoother path to take.

Law of Closure

Law of Closure

When things are close together, brains fill in the gaps. The brain groups things together if the majority is there and will become "whole".

IMB Example

http://www.methodsandtools.com/archive/psychoux25.jpg

Even though there are gaps in the letters, everybody can clearly see the IBM logo do to the law of closure. The brain ignores the gaps, and the lines are seen as whole letters.

WWF Example

There are also gaps in the panda for the WWF logo. Our brains fill in the gaps that are there and can perceive it as a whole panda.

Law of Motion Perception

Motion perception is the process of inferring the speed and direction of objects that move in a visual scene, given some visual input.  The brain creates a sense of motion by assuming that shrinking objects are retreating, and enlarging objects are approaching. 

An example of when our brains perceive motion is when we look at something in 3D. 

 

 

Although you need 3D glasses to get the full effect, this short clip tricks our minds into thinking that the ball is coming closer to us.  This is because the ball is enlarging, and our brains interpret that as the ball approaching us.