law of similarity

American  

[law uhv sim-uh-lar-i-tee] / ˈlɔ əv ˌsɪm əˈlær ɪ ti /

Or Law of Similarity

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.

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Etymology

Origin of law of similarity

First recorded in 1845–50