10 - Gestalt Psychology

Question 0

Ernst Mach

Answer 0

Some perceptions are independent of the elements of sensory experience
Space form: a triangle is still a triangle whether it is red or blue, big or small, acute or obtuse
Time form: a melody remains the same regardless of volume, key, or tempo

Question 1

Three major principles of Gestalt theory

Answer 1

1. The whole is different from the sum of its parts
2. Consciousness is a function of structured forms (Gestalts) and invariant processes of the brain
3. Perceptions are organized into the simplest meaningful whole (Law of Prägnanz or Minimum Principle)

Question 2

Christian Von Ehrenfels

Answer 2

Proposed that perceptions contain form qualities (Gestaltqualitäten) that are not found in the sensations that make up the perception

Question 3

Force fields

Answer 3

Study came up because some not all properties of magnetic fields could be explained by Newtonian physics. Anything that happens in a force field influences everything else in the field

Question 4

Phi phenomenon

Answer 4

Max Wertheimer’s article; things that are perceived as unconscious inference

Question 5

Mechanized behavior

Answer 5

Behavior that initially was either intelligent or occurred by chance, but has become automatic by repetition

Question 6

Intelligent behavior

Answer 6

Behavior appropriate to a new situation and relatively independent of past experience

Question 7

Insight (Einsicht)

Answer 7

The problem had been seen in a different way; perceptual restructuring had occurred

Question 8

Perceptual organization principles

Answer 8

First introduced by Wertheimer to help explain the phenomena of apparent motion

Question 9

Law of Prägnanz

Answer 9

Minimum Principle/Law of Simplicity
Ultimate meaning of an experience and the tendency to organize cognitive in a way as good and meaningful as the situation allows. Explanation that just makes the most sense

Question 10

Figure-ground principle

Answer 10

The figure is the part of the perceptual field that is attended to, the ground is the remainder. Figure and ground cannot be perceived at the same time

Question 11

Principle of continuity

Answer 11

Perceptual tendency to follow elements of a figure that appear to be going in some direction

Question 12

Principle of proximity

Answer 12

Perceptual tendency to perceive elements close (proximal) to one another in space or time as a perceptual unit

Question 13

Principle of similarity

Answer 13

The tendency to group together elements that are physically similar

Question 14

Principle of closure

Answer 14

The tendency to make an incomplete perception whole. Also allows for the meaningful perception of speech or writing with missing elements. Also accounts for the difficulty of proof reading, as readers tend to see what is supposed to be there

Question 15

Principle of inclusiveness

Answer 15

The tendency to perceive only the larger figure when a smaller figure is embedded within it, even if the smaller figure is more familiar

Question 16

Principles of cognitive organization

Answer 16

• psychophysical isomorphism: underlying brain activity for apparent motion and actual motion must be essentially the same because they both lead to the same perception of motion: map vs actual city as an isomorphic relationship
• behavioral versus geographical environments: consciousness consists of the brain activity associated with sensory information, so our perceptions and/or actions at a given moment are governed by the brain rather than the actual physical world

Question 17

Geographical environment

Answer 17

Objective reality and what is actually there

Question 18

Behavioral environment

Answer 18

Subjective reality and what is perceived to be there

Question 19

Cognitive trial and error

Answer 19

Patterns of brain activity are arranged in the simplest possible form in a state of balance related to force fields. A problem disrupts this balance and creates disequilibrium which creates tension in the system until the problem is solved (insight)

Question 20

Productive thinking

Answer 20

Wertheimer: problem solving should proceed from the top down, providing a big picture to organize the particulars into a good Gestalt. The whole problem should be presented in the beginning without hiding the solution, which forces errors until the solution is found. If a pattern is found learning becomes easier

Question 21

Field theory

Answer 21

The name given to Lewin’s psychological system
Used by Lewin to explain behavior in terms of the interaction of a person’s needs and a field of psychological forces
A person’s (P) behavior (B) is a function of his or her interaction with the psychological environment (E) or B = f(PE)

Question 22

Life space

Answer 22

Psychological environment: composed of all the influences acting on a person at any given time

Question 23

Psychological facts

Answer 23

The influences acting on a person at any given time; can be internal, external, memories of prior experiences, or even imaginary); must be in a person’s conscious awareness

Question 24

Foreign hull

Answer 24

Anything that is not a part of the life space at a given point in time

Question 25

Conflict

Answer 25

Occurs when there is tension within one’s life space and leads to disequilibrium

Question 26

Approach-approach conflict

Answer 26

Occurs when there are two goals, each with positive valence.
-buying a car in which you like both

Question 27

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Answer 27

Occurs when two goals both have negative valence.
-You despise a course and are repelled by the idea of studying for it but will fail it if you don’t.
May lead to attempts to escape or failure to act at alle

Question 28

Approach-avoidance conflict

Answer 28

Occurs when one goal has both positive and negative valence

-want to get married eventually but don’t want to lose the independence of being single

Question 29

Authoritarian group

Answer 29

The leader decided all policy, dictated the activity and the steps to complete it one at a time, told each group member who to work with and what to do, provided personal praise and criticism and remained aloof from the group.

The boys were submissive, failed to take any initiative, expressed disinterest in the task and produced inferior products. They showed more aggression when the leader was not in the room and targeted disliked members

Question 30

Democratic group

Answer 30

Policies were up to the group discussion, the leader provided general steps to the goal and advice when needed, the members chose who to work with and divided up the tasks, and praise and criticism were objective.

The boys were more task oriented, motivated and produced the best products.

Question 31

Laissez-faire group

Answer 31

Members were given complete freedom to make decisions with minimal leader participation. The leader provided the necessary supplies and said he would answer questions and then left the group on its own, made few comments unless asked a question and provided no feedback.

Little was accomplished and much of their time was spent trying to decide what to do. They also tended to display frustration and hostility.

Question 32

Action research

Answer 32

Designed to promote social change