Using Knowledge: Top-Down Processing • 59as to follow the smoothest path. Also, objects that are overlapped by other objects
are perceived as continuing behind the overlapping object. The Celtic knot pattern in
● Figure 3.17 illustrates this overlap effect, in which good continuation assures that we
see a continuous interwoven pattern that does not appear to be broken into little pieces
every time one strand overlaps another.
The rationale behind the law of good continuation bears repeating: It predicts that
what we perceive is based on what usually happens in the environment. This means
that if perception follows the Gestalt laws, it is likely that the resulting perception will● (^) FIGURE 3.16 (a) Rope on the beach. (b) Good continuation helps us perceive the rope
as a single strand.
(a)(b)
Bruce Goldstein
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