Final answer:
The figure-ground relationship refers to perceiving objects as a figure and the background. For example, an elephant on grassy terrain is the figure, while the rest of the scene constitutes the background.
Step-by-step explanation:
The figure-ground relationship refers to the perception of objects as being a figure (the focus of attention) and the background (the surrounding environment or context).
For example, in the context of a photograph, the figure might be the main subject of the photo, such as an elephant on grassy terrain, while the background constitutes the rest of the scene. Similarly, in a painting, the figure could be a skater on an ice rink, while the background is the ice and the surrounding area.