What is figure-ground perception?

Figure-ground perception refers to the cognitive ability to differentiate an object (the figure) from its surrounding environment (the ground). This perception is crucial for effectively interpreting visual scenes, allowing individuals to focus on specific elements while separating them from the background. It plays a vital role in how we understand and interact with the world around us, such as recognizing a person's face in a crowd or a sign against a backdrop.

While perception of depth and recognition of motion are important aspects of visual processing, they are distinct from figure-ground perception. Similarly, distinguishing sounds in a noisy environment pertains to auditory perception rather than visual interpretation. Therefore, identifying the foreground versus the background correctly captures the essence of figure-ground perception.