What does the Law of Proximity suggest about elements that are close to one another?

Study for the ETS Psychology Test. Improve your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The Law of Proximity is a principle from Gestalt psychology that asserts that objects that are close to one another are often perceived as belonging together or forming a group. This perceptual tendency helps individuals make sense of their environment by organizing visual input into coherent units.

For example, if dots are placed close together, they are likely to be seen as part of a single shape or cluster rather than as individual dots scattered in space. This grouping occurs naturally in our perception, allowing for more efficient information processing as the mind seeks to create order from chaotic visual stimuli. Hence, when elements are in close proximity, we interpret them as connected, leading to an understanding of them as a cohesive unit or entity rather than separate parts.

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