The principle that allows us to see a disconnected outline as a complete shape is the law of:

The correct answer is the law of 'closure'

Key Points

• Law of Closure:
  • The law of closure is a principle of Gestalt psychology that explains how humans perceive incomplete shapes as complete figures.
  • Our brain tends to fill in the gaps in a visual image to create a whole object, even if the outline is not continuous.
  • This principle helps us make sense of complex and fragmented visual stimuli by mentally 'closing' the gaps.

Additional Information

• Similarity:
  • The law of similarity states that objects that are similar in appearance are perceived as being part of the same group.
  • This principle is often used in design to create visual relationships between elements that share common attributes like color, shape, or size.
• Continuity:
  • The law of continuity suggests that elements arranged in a line or curve are perceived as more related than elements not on the line or curve.
  • This principle helps in understanding the flow of elements and creating a sense of direction in visual compositions.
• Proximity:
  • The law of proximity states that objects that are close to each other are perceived as being part of the same group.
  • This principle is used to organize information and create structure by placing related items near each other.