Final answer:
Hierarchical scale is a method used in art where more important figures are depicted as larger than less important ones to indicate their importance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kind of scale used for objects that appear larger than they are in real life, especially in the context of their importance in artwork, is called hierarchical scale. This means that the more important a figure is depicted in art, the larger it is compared to other figures around it. Historically, cultures like the ancient Egyptians utilized hierarchical scale to show the relative importance of figures, often depicting pharaohs much larger than other figures to symbolize their superior status. By contrast, a proportional scale would be sizes in accordance with realistic relationships, such as actual physical size.