Shape

Definition

Shape refers to the visual characteristic of an object that remains consistent regardless of its position or orientation. It is the overall form or outline of an object.

Analogy

Think of shape as the silhouette of a person. No matter if they are standing, sitting, or lying down, their silhouette (shape) remains the same. Similarly, a door's shape stays constant whether it's open, closed, or partially open.

Related terms

Perceptual Constancy: Perceptual constancy is the tendency to perceive objects as having stable properties such as size, shape, and color despite changes in sensory input.

Visual Illusion: Visual illusions are misinterpretations or distortions of real-world stimuli that can result in perceiving something differently than it actually is.

Figure-Ground Relationship: The figure-ground relationship refers to our ability to distinguish between an object (figure) and its surrounding background (ground).