<P> Figure--ground organization is a type of perceptual grouping which is a vital necessity for recognizing objects through vision . In Gestalt psychology it is known as identifying a figure from the background . For example, you see words on a printed paper as the "figure" and the white sheet as the "background". </P> <P> The most famous example of figure--ground perception is probably the faces--vase drawing that Danish psychologist Edgar Rubin described . This drawing exemplifies one of the key aspects of figure--ground organization, edge - assignment and its effect on shape perception . Notice in the faces / vase drawing, the perceived shape depends critically on the direction in which the border (edge) between the black and white regions is assigned . If the two curvy edges between the black and white regions are assigned inward then the central white region is seen as a vase shape in front of a black background . No faces are perceived in this case . On the other hand, if the edges are assigned outwards, then the two black profile faces are perceived on a white background and no vase shape is perceived . The human visual system will then settle on either of the interpretations of the Rubin vase and alternate between them . Functional brain imaging shows that when people see the Rubin image as a face, there is activity in the temporal lobe, specifically in the face - selective region </P>

Who does the figure in the foreground represent