Gestalt Principles of Perception

Principle of Pragnanz (simplicity)

organize a scene so that we see the simplest figure

principle of similarity

group together parts of a scene that are similar to one another as belonging to the same object

principle of good continuation

see as belonging to the same object and contour when two contours can be joined by a straight or uniformly curving line

principle of proximity

elements of a scene that are close to each other are grouped together as belonging to the same object

principle of common fate

objects that move together go together

principle of familiarity

organize a scene so that we can identify familiar objects

principle of common region

elements enclosed by the same region of space are grouped together

principle of element connectedness

elements that are connected together tend to be perceived as belonging to the same object

principle of synchrony

events occurring at the same time will cause elements participating in an event to be grouped together