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GATE 2026 XH5 (Psychology) – Question 29

Perception, Learning, Memory and Forgetting · Perception: Attention, organizing principles, Gestalt perception, depth perception and illusions · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Which of the following is true about contours in visual form perception?

  1. Contours are formed due to brightness difference between the object and background.
  2. Contours never provide shape to the objects.
  3. Reversible figures do not involve contours.
  4. Camouflage works when contours do not break.

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (A) Contours are formed due to brightness difference between the object and background.

Explanation

A contour is an edge that we see where there is a sharp change in brightness (or colour) between an object and its background. Contours do give objects their shape, and reversible figures depend on them. Camouflage works by breaking up the contours, not by keeping them intact.