Final answer:
In the perception process, we organize objects based on their proximity to one another through the Gestalt principle of proximity, which groups objects that are close together. This perceptual organization can be influenced by past experiences and expectations, and is not always a perfect reflection of reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the perception process, we organize things based on their proximity to each other by assuming that objects that are close to one another are part of the same group. This is known as the Gestalt principle of proximity, which suggests that physical closeness in spatial arrangement leads to a perceptual grouping in our minds. When answering a question regarding how we organize things based on their proximity, option 4) 'Based on how close to or far apart from each other they are' is the correct one. This principle is evident in various situations, such as identifying a block of dots as a single unit or recognizing words in a sentence because they are grouped together without spaces.
Moreover, our pattern perception relies on not only proximity but also other Gestalt principles such as similarity, where we tend to group similar items (for example, football players in the same uniform), and continuity, which leads us to perceive continuous forms rather than disconnected segments. Importantly, our perceptions can be influenced by factors like experience, expectations, and priming, which means they are not always an accurate reflection of reality.