What principle of the Gestalt approach states that objects standing out against a background are perceived as separate from that background?

The principle of the Gestalt approach that states objects standing out against a background are perceived as separate from that background is the Figure-Ground Relationship. This concept is central to how we visually organize our perceptions. When we view a scene, our brain instinctively separates elements into a "figure," which is the focus of our attention, and the "ground," which is the background or context.

This separation allows us to identify and recognize objects even when they are embedded in complex scenes. For example, when looking at a text overlay on a patterned background, the text is perceived as a distinct figure, while the busy pattern serves as the ground. By emphasizing the figure-ground relationship, we can understand how depth perception and visual clarity are enhanced, contributing to our overall interpretation of the visual environment. This principle is foundational to Gestalt psychology, which examines how we naturally integrate visual information into coherent wholes.