In imposing an organization, 
the mind can also easily 
achieve a false, nonveridical 
kinship (or, conversely, miss a 
kinship that in fact does exist 
in the world). Suppose in 
walking through a forest we see 
two sticks that seem to cross 
behind a tree. Are these sticks 
really forming an X-like shape 
with their intersection hidden 
by the tree? Logically speaking, 
that immediate, spontaneous, 
and compelling perception is 
not a required outcome. One 
could just as well perceive four 
independent objects, each of 
which is partially hidden. 
(Here we see that the pictorial 
depth cue of interposition itself 
represents the achievement of 
a particular perceptual 
organization.) Alternatively, 
one could perceive two 
noncrossing objects, the view 
of which is occluded by the 
tree. This last percept in fact 
could represent the actual 
state of affairs. But this percept 
is difficult to achieve and 
unlikely to occur. Of all the 
percepts, the first—–that of two
crossing objects—–is much the 
most likely to occur, even 
though it may be incorrect.