Hack 75. Grasp the Gestalt (2)
Each group belongs together partly because the triangles are arranged into a pattern (two long rows pointing in a direction) and partly because of proximity (shapes that are closer together are more likely to form a group). The triangle in the middle is a long way from both groups and doesn’t fall into the same pattern as either. It’s left alone by the brain’s grouping principles.
You can, however, voluntarily group the lone triangle. By mentally putting it with the left-hand set, it appears to point down and left along with the other triangles. You can make it point right by choosing to see it with the other set.
8.2.2. How It Works
The rules by which the brain groups similar objects together are called gestalt grouping principles in psychology. Although there’s no direct German-to-English translation, “gestalt” means (roughly) “whole.” When we understand objects and the relationships between them in a single, coherent pattern rather than as disconnected items, we understand the group as a gestalt. We have a gestalt comprehension of each of the sets of triangles in Figure 8-1, for instance.
Four of the most commonly quoted grouping principles are proximity, similarity, closure, and continuation. An example of each is shown in Figure 8-2.
Taken from : Mind Hacks
