The document discusses figure-ground perception and Gestalt grouping principles. It defines figure as the focal object and ground as the background or surrounding area. Figures and grounds can reverse depending on focus. It then describes four Gestalt grouping principles: continuity, similarity, proximity, and closure. Objects are naturally perceived as patterns based on these principles. Specifically, elements are grouped by smooth lines, similarity, nearness, and appearing to complete an entity. The document provides examples of figure-ground phenomena like ambiguous, alternating, and impossible figures that demonstrate how perception works.