Final answer:
The Gestalt principle illustrated by grouping people based on height is the principle of similarity. This principle explains how we perceive objects with similar characteristics as belonging to a group or pattern.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Gestalt principle that the question is referring to is the principle of similarity. This principle posits that objects that are similar to one another are perceived as part of a group or pattern. Therefore, when people are grouped together based on an observable characteristic like height, we are utilizing the principle of similarity, as we naturally group individuals who share this similar trait.
For example, if there are several people in a room, and some are tall while others are short, we might group the tall individuals together and the short individuals together because they resemble each other in terms of height. This is a fundamental way in which our perceptual system organizes sensory input to make sense of the world around us. It highlights one of the ways in which Gestalt psychologists believe that our perceptions are structured and ordered, adhering to certain laws that dictate how we perceive sensory stimuli.
The Gestalt principles, including similarity, proximity, continuity, and closure, help us understand how our perception works and how we attempt to make sense of complex arrays of information.