Law of Proximity in Real Life

Part of this phenomenon can be explained by the simple exposure effect, which suggests that repeated exposure to a stimulus, including another person, can lead to an implicit preference for it. Aside from the interference of other variables, people who see each other regularly because of their proximity may begin to favor each other over people who are further away due to their frequent exposure to each other. The principle of proximity states that we perceive objects that are close to each other as a group. This also applies if the color, size, or shape of the objects differ. The following example illustrates the principle of proximity. In the first image, you can see a group of circles. In the second image, you can see 3 groups (columns) of circles. The only thing that has changed is the distance (proximity) between some of the circles. The principle of proximity is stronger than the other principles of the Gestalt. You can see below that the circles always appear grouped, even if they differ in shape or color. Thus, proximity is stronger than, for example, the principle of similarity. Some research shows that while people are more likely to build relationships with those who are physically closer to them, these relationships are not always positive. For example, one study found that people are more likely to dislike those who live near them.

Although friendship has been shown to also depend on physical closeness, friendships require frequent personal contact to thrive. In contrast, aversion flourished even when those who lived nearby rarely saw each other in person. This grouping effect works even if it contradicts other Gestalt principles such as proximity and similarity. “How can this contradict the laws?” one might ask. Well, remember that we are dealing with the unique combination of the human eye and the brain. Without getting into the subject of magic, illusions or tricks (because we don`t want to deviate from the theme), we can see that the human tendency to link or group elements together or focus on similar objects in a sea of different objects is a powerful feature. The organization of sentences according to proximity prevails over any instinct to organize sentences according to similar colors. For example, the moment they look at an image, you see a different reality.

Images are essentially two-dimensional representations of a three-dimensional reality. Everything is on the same level, and so the image reflected in the image seems to be different from its actual existence. The creation of a clearly defined boundary can overwhelm other Gestalt laws, such as the law of proximity. This is also how childhood friendships are formed. Children do not have the autonomy to travel outside their immediate sphere to connect with others. As we get older, we enjoy the benefit of being with people who have a similar lifestyle, language, and habits. As we get older, it`s important that we approach relationships with more maturity and intention. Diversifying our relationships is key to broadening our worldviews. Closeness should no longer be the only determining factor for our friendships. The principle of proximity allows us to group elements in larger quantities.

In addition, this principle relieves us of the processing of so many small stimuli. Thus, the law of proximity helps us to understand information much faster. For example, instead of identifying each of the many points on a paper, the brain perceives them as a group of points. Remember, however, that the principle of proximity and the other Gestalt laws of perceptual organization are not infallible truths, but heuristics or mental shortcuts that we use to quickly understand what we see. This is useful from a cognitive point of view, as it prevents us from being overloaded by the wealth of visual information we absorb on a daily basis. However, it can also lead to misperceptions. “The eye tends to build a relationship between elements of the same design” is a crucial saying to keep in mind. Our brain builds connections between different design elements based on the laws of visual perception. These are influenced by the way the elements are arranged in a design.

The laws that apply are those of proximity, unified connectivity and continuation. Even if the focus is on digital work, it makes sense to look at print layouts first. Printing is the basis of the layouts we create on the web, and it makes it much easier to understand the principle. In the magazine layout, the descriptions of the images are located at different positions on the page. However, due to the proximity of a single image, it is immediately clear which text belongs to which image. While the principle of proximity, as described in both social psychology and Gestalt psychology, can help us more easily understand how objects and even people form relationships, it is also important to note that it can lead to pitfalls. Proximity plays an important role in how we treat others. Gestalt psychologists explain that proximity improves observational and perceptual skills.

In other words, we interpret a lot of things relatively, from people to ideas to experiences. This is important because our perception largely influences our behavior. Just as positive interactions with people in physical proximity can lead to positive interpersonal connections, unwanted actions of surrounding people can lead to negative interpersonal connections. “I`ve only worked with Thelma for a short time, but she`s been very helpful so far. My biggest concern with the consultation was that I wouldn`t be given any real tools to overcome the obstacles in my life. Thelma eliminated these concerns by helping me better understand the cause of my problems and how to solve them. I highly recommend working with her! Many designers use the principle of proximity without knowing or thinking about it. Still, I would say it`s still helpful to know why this strategy works. This way, you can think of a design and explain the problems to your colleagues. .