law of similarity

or Law of Sim·i·lar·i·ty

[ law uhv sim-uh-lar-i-tee ]

noun

1. Psychology. (in Gestalt psychology) the idea that things that are similar tend to be perceived as a unit:

   The law of similarity can be evoked with color, shape, size, texture, or almost any other attribute.

2. the idea that things or actions that are similar have a connection to each other or can affect each other without a perceptible means of doing so:

   The ritual operates on the basis of the magical law of similarity, according to which the imitation of an action causes it to happen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of law of similarity¹

First recorded in 1845–50