Final answer:
The principle that states objects that are partially covered by other objects are seen as continuing behind the covering object is the Gestalt principle of closure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle in question is the Gestalt principle of closure. This principle describes our tendency to perceive complete objects even when they are partially obscured by other objects, indicating that our minds fill in the gaps of visual information to create a holistic image. Gestalt theorists have emphasized this and other principles such as figure-ground relationship, proximity, and similarity to explain how we make sense of sensory stimuli and organize our perceptions into a coherent picture. For instance, when a bicycle is partially hidden behind a tree, we still understand it as a complete bicycle rather than detached fragments. Our ability to perceive an entire form even when only parts are visible is crucial for recognizing objects in our cluttered world.