02b_Humanistic/Constructivist: Gestalt Therapy

Question 1

Fritz Perls’ Gestalt Therapy:

Underlying Premise

Answer 1

Each person is capable of assuming personal responsibility and living as an integrated whole

Question 2

Gestalt Therapy:

“gestalt” definition

Answer 2

Perception of part as a whole

Question 3

Gestalt Therapy:

Five main concepts

Answer 3

People seek closure

Gestalts reflect current needs

Behavior represents a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts

Behavior can only be fully understood in its context

The world is experienced in accord with the figure/ground principle

Question 4

Gestalt Therapy:

Personality Theory

Answer 4

Personality consists of the self and the self-image

Early interactions with the environment determines which aspect of personality is dominant

Question 5

Gestalt Therapy:

The Self

Answer 5

Creative aspect of personality

Promotes tendency for self-actualization

Question 6

Gestalt Therapy:

Self-Image

Answer 6

“Dark side” of personality

Imposes external standards

Hinders growth and self-actualization

Question 7

Gestalt Therapy:

View of Maladaptive Behavior

Answer 7

Neurotic behavior is the viewed as a “growth disorder”

Question 8

Gestalt Therapy:

Growth Disorder

Answer 8

Abandonment of the self for the self-image

Results in Lack of integration

Question 9

Gestalt Therapy:

Boundary Disturbances, Etiology

Answer 9

Conflict between the self and the external environment

Interferes with satisfaction of needs and homeostasis

Question 10

Gestalt Therapy:

Four Major Boundary Disturbances

Answer 10

Introjection

Projection

Retroflection

Confluence

Question 11

Gestalt Therapy:

Introjection

Answer 11

Acceptance of external concepts, fact, and standards without understanding or full assimilation

Question 12

Gestalt Therapy:

Characteristics of Introjectors

Answer 12

Difficulty distinguishing between “me” and “not me”

Overly compliant

Question 13

Gestalt Therapy:

Projection

Answer 13

Disowning aspects of the self by assigning them to other people

Question 14

Gestalt Therapy:

Result of Extreme Projection

Answer 14

Paranoia

Question 15

Gestalt Therapy:

Retroflection

Answer 15

Doing to oneself what one wants to do to others

E.g. turning anger toward another person inward

Question 16

Gestalt Therapy:

Confluence

Answer 16

Absence of boundary between self and environment

Question 17

Gestalt Therapy:

Consequences of Confluence

Answer 17

Intolerance of differences with others

Resentment

Guilt

Question 18

Gestalt Therapy:

Primary Therapy Goal

Answer 18

Help client become unified whole by integrating various aspects of the self

Question 19

Gestalt Therapy:

Therapeutic Approach

Answer 19

Reduce effects of transference

Promote Awareness

Avoid diagnostic labels

Question 20

Gestalt Therapy:

“Transference Fantasy”

Answer 20

Transference is viewed as counterproductive

Therapist helps clients recognize difference between their “transference fantasy” and reality

Question 21

Gestalt Therapy:

Primary Curative Factor

Answer 21

Awareness

Question 22

Gestalt Therapy:

“Ready-Made” Techniques to Increase Awareness

Answer 22

Empty-Chair Technique

Role-play

Guided fantasy (imagery)

Question 23

Gestalt Therapy:

Dream work

Answer 23

Role-play elements of the dream as a way to integrate the parts of the personality they represent

Question 24

Gestalt Therapy:

View of Dreams

Answer 24

Elements of a dream represent different parts of the self

Including parts of not been fully accepted and integrated