Who gave the law of figure-ground relation?

The correct answer is 'Edgar Rubin'.

Key Points

• Figure-Ground Relationship:
  • Edgar Rubin, a Danish psychologist, is known for his work on the figure-ground relationship, a fundamental principle in Gestalt psychology.
  • This principle explains how we distinguish objects (figures) from their background (ground) in visual perception.
  • Rubin's work, especially his famous Rubin vase, illustrates how our perception can shift between seeing a vase and two faces, demonstrating the dynamic nature of figure-ground organization.

Additional Information

• Max Wertheimer:
  • Max Wertheimer is one of the founders of Gestalt psychology, focusing on how people perceive and process visual information as whole forms rather than just a collection of parts.
  • Although influential in the field of perceptual organization, Wertheimer did not specifically give the law of figure-ground relationship.
• Wolfgang Köhler:
  • Wolfgang Köhler was another key figure in Gestalt psychology, known for his work on problem-solving and insight in chimpanzees.
  • He made significant contributions to understanding perception but did not specifically formulate the figure-ground principle.
  • Ernst Mach:
    • Ernst Mach was a physicist and philosopher whose work predated Gestalt psychology. He influenced the field with his ideas on sensory perception and the analysis of sensations.
    • However, Mach did not develop the specific principle of figure-ground relationship.