MODULE: Gestalt theory

Step 02 of 16: Emergence

In the image below you may see an animal (I won't spoil it) "emerge" from the spots of black on white. If we can be objective about the image, there is no animal suggested by the image itself, to a computer and an infant it would be difficult to identify what and where it is. Our experience tells us that the common curvature found on the spots on its flanks and our expectations of where its legs might reside fill in the blanks for us. This is an important grounds to establish; the ability of the mind to impose an object into imagery that is not itself obvious. We as adults see a "whole" that is a blend of the visible stimulus and our life experiences.

Gestalt principle of Emergence, a Dalmation with its nose to the ground — Figure 1. Gestalt principle of Emergence allows us to see an animal in this mess of spots, image source