According to Gestalt psychology, which principle states that elements near each other are perceived as a group?

• A. Gestalt's Similarity Principle
• B. Gestalt's Continuation Principle
• C. Gestalt's Proximity Principle
• D. Gestalt's Closure Principle

Answer: (C)

Grouping in perception is driven by proximity: elements that are near each other tend to be seen as a single unit. When items are placed close together, the mind groups them, so a cluster of objects is perceived as one group rather than a collection of separate parts. This is why we read words quickly by noticing letters that are close together as a whole, or why a set of dots arranged in tight clusters looks like distinct shapes rather than a random scatter.

Other Gestalt principles describe different ways grouping can occur when proximity isn’t the cue. Similarity groups items that share features such as shape, color, or size. Continuation tends to link elements along a smooth, uninterrupted path. Closure fills in missing segments to perceive complete figures. Among these, proximity specifically explains grouping based on how physically close elements are.