Introduction to Psychology

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Principle Description Example Image

Similarity

Stimuli that are

similar to each

other tend to be

grouped together.

You are more likely to see

three similar columns among

the XYXcharacters at right

than you are to see four

rows.

Figure 4.1

Proximity

We tend to group

nearby figures

together.

Do you see four or eight

images at right? Principles of

proximity suggest that you

might see only four.

Figure 4.1

Continuity

We tend to

perceive stimuli

in smooth,

continuous ways

At right, most people see a

line of dots that moves from

the lower left to the upper

right, rather than a line that Figure 4.1