Chapter 14: Gestalt Psychology

Question 1

Christian von Ehrenfels

Answer 1

Known for his contributions to Gestalt psychology. He introduced the concept of “Gestalt qualities” or “Gestalt properties,” which highlighted the holistic nature of perception. His ideas influenced the Gestalt psychologists, emphasizing the importance of understanding the whole as greater than the sum of its parts.

Question 2

Kurt Koffka

Answer 2

Along with Wertheimer and Köhler, laid the foundation for the Gestalt school of thought. Focused on the study of perception and emphasized the principles of “emergence” and “reification,” highlighting how individuals perceive meaningful patterns and wholes from sensory input.

Question 3

Wolfgang Köhler

Answer 3

A key figure in Gestalt psychology known for his groundbreaking research on insightful problem-solving in apes, particularly his work with chimpanzees on the island of Tenerife. His experiments demonstrated that animals could exhibit insightful problem-solving abilities, challenging the prevailing behaviorist view of animal behavior.

Question 4

Kurt Lewin

Answer 4

Influenced by Gestalt psychology. He introduced the concept of “life space,” which encompassed the totality of influences acting on an individual at a given time. His tension-system hypothesis in motivation emphasized the role of psychological and biological needs in driving human behavior. Bridge the gap between Gestalt principles and applied psychology

Question 5

Ernst Mach

Answer 5

An influence on the early development of Gestalt psychology. His ideas on the perception of elements in relation to their surrounding context laid the groundwork for the Gestalt principles of organization and perception. The perception of elements contributed to the Gestalt psychologists’ understanding of how humans perceive and organize sensory information.

Question 6

Max Wertheimer

Answer 6

Known for his groundbreaking research on the phi phenomenon and the principles of perceptual organization. He emphasized the holistic nature of perception, highlighting the organization of sensory elements into meaningful patterns and wholes. Laid the foundation for the Gestalt principles of perception, emphasizing the importance of understanding perception as a holistic and organized process rather than a collection of isolated elements.

Question 7

Act psychology

Answer 7

This approach was prominent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was associated with the work of Edward Titchener. A branch of psychology that focuses on the analysis of conscious experience into its elements and connections. It emphasizes the examination of mental processes through introspection.

Question 8

Approach-approach conflict

Answer 8

A psychological conflict that arises when an individual is faced with two desirable options, each with its own set of advantages. For instance, choosing between two equally appealing job offers can lead to this type of conflict.

Question 9

Approach-avoidance conflict

Answer 9

A psychological conflict that occurs when a situation presents both desirable and undesirable aspects, making the decision-making process complex. An example would be wanting to buy an expensive item but hesitating due to the high cost.

Question 10

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Answer 10

A psychological conflict that emerges when an individual must choose between two undesirable options, both of which have negative consequences. An example is deciding between attending an unpleasant family gathering or missing out and dealing with the resulting guilt.

Question 11

Behavioural environment (Koffka)

Answer 11

The concept was introduced by Kurt Koffka within Gestalt psychology, emphasizing the interplay between an organism and its surroundings, particularly how the environment influences behavior and perception.

Question 12

Constancy hypothesis

Answer 12

The idea that objects are perceived by individuals as maintaining their shape, size, color, and other attributes even when viewed from different perspectives or under different conditions.

Question 13

Elementism

Answer 13

The approach that aims to understand complex phenomena by breaking them down into their constituent elements. Contrasts with holism.

Question 14

Extrinsic reinforcement

Answer 14

Reinforcement provided from an external source, such as rewards or punishments, to motivate certain behaviors. It plays a significant role in behaviorist theories of learning and motivation.

Question 15

Field theory

Answer 15

A psychological framework introduced by Kurt Lewin, emphasizing the interconnectedness of an individual and their environment. It suggests that behavior is a function of the individual’s psychological state and the influences from the surrounding environment.

Question 16

Figure-ground relationship

Answer 16

A perceptual phenomenon in which individuals perceive objects or shapes as either the main figure of focus or the background against which the figure is defined. In Gestalt psychology, emphasized the organization of perpetual experiences

Question 17

Geographical environment

Answer 17

The physical surroundings or external spaces in which an organism exists. Within Gestalt psychology, emphasizes the role of the external environment in shaping an individual’s perception and behavior.

Question 18

Gestalt

Answer 18

A German term that translates to “shape” or “form,” used in psychology to refer to the concept of perceiving the whole as different from the sum of its parts. It underlines the idea that humans perceive patterns and structures in their environment based on the organization of elements into meaningful configurations.

Question 19

Gestalt psychology

Answer 19

Developed by Wertheimer, Köhler, Koffka and others. A psychological perspective that emphasizes the importance of understanding psychological phenomena as organized wholes rather than isolated elements. It focuses on how humans perceive patterns, organize sensory information, and create meaningful perceptions based on the whole rather than the sum of their parts.

Question 20

Group dynamics

Answer 20

The study of how individuals within a group interact, communicate, and influence each other’s behavior. It examines the roles, relationships, and processes that shape group behavior and performance.

Question 21

Holists

Answer 21

A perspective that emphasizes the importance of understanding entities as organized wholes rather than isolated parts. Holists perceive phenomena as complex systems with interconnected elements, highlighting the interdependence of various components in producing the overall behavior or experience. Contrast with elementism

Question 22

Insightful learning

Answer 22

A type of learning that involves the sudden realization of a solution or understanding of a problem without the need for continuous trial-and-error attempts. Integral to Gestalt psychology, emphasizing the importance of sudden insights and restructuring of cognitive elements.

Question 23

Intrinsic reinforcement

Answer 23

Reinforcement that arises internally from the inherent satisfaction or enjoyment of a behavior or activity. It serves as a motivating factor that drives individuals to engage in certain behaviors for their own intrinsic satisfaction rather than external rewards.

Question 24

Law of Prägnanz

Answer 24

Also known as the law of good figure or the law of simplicity, this principle within Gestalt psychology states that individuals perceive objects in the simplest way possible. It emphasizes the human tendency to organize sensory information into the most stable, symmetrical, and simple forms possible.

Question 25

Life space

Answer 25

Introduced by Kurt Lewin. The totality of influences acting on an individual at a specific moment, including internal and external factors as well as recollections of prior experiences. Highlights the dynamics between an individual’s psychological state and their surrounding environment.

Question 26

Memory trace

Answer 26

A neurological representation of past experiences or learned information stored in the brain. It refers to the physical changes or alterations in neural pathways that occur as a result of learning and experience, forming the basis for memory and recall.

Question 27

Molar approach

Answer 27

An approach that focuses on the study of larger, more complex entities or phenomena as organized systems, emphasizing the interdependence of various components within the system. Contrasts with the molecular approach.

Question 28

Molecular approach

Answer 28

An approach that emphasizes the study of individual elements or components within a larger system, often focusing on the analysis of basic units or elements to understand complex phenomena. Contrasts with molar approach.

Question 29

Perceptual constancy

Answer 29

The ability of the brain to perceive objects as maintaining their properties such as size, shape, color, and brightness, even when viewed from different angles or under varying lighting conditions. This concept is crucial in understanding how individuals perceive the stability of objects in the environment despite changes in sensory input.

Question 30

Phenomenology

Answer 30

A philosophical and psychological approach that focuses on the study of conscious experience and subjective perceptions, emphasizing the individual’s direct experiences and interpretations of the world. It involves the exploration of how individuals perceive and make sense of their experiences and reality.

Question 31

Phi phenomenon

Answer 31

A perceptual illusion in which the perception of motion is created by the rapid succession of images or stimuli. Central to the development of Gestalt psychology, highlighting the human tendency to perceive apparent motion when presented with a series of still images in quick succession.

Question 32

Principle of closure

Answer 32

A perceptual principle within Gestalt psychology that states that individuals tend to perceive incomplete or fragmented objects as complete and whole. It emphasizes the human tendency to mentally fill in the gaps or missing information to perceive objects as unified and complete entities.

Question 33

Principle of contemporaneity

Answer 33

Introduced by Kurt Lewin. Emphasizing that only those psychological facts currently present in an individual’s life space can influence their thinking and behavior. It underscores the dynamic nature of an individual’s psychological experiences and the immediate influence of present awareness on behavior.

Question 34

Principle of continuity

Answer 34

A perceptual principle that highlights the human tendency to perceive continuous patterns or lines even when they are interrupted or fragmented. It emphasizes the preference for perceiving smooth, continuous shapes and forms, rather than disjointed or disconnected elements.

Question 35

Principle of inclusiveness

Answer 35

A perceptual principle within Gestalt psychology that emphasizes the tendency of individuals to group or organize elements based on their similarities and shared attributes. It highlights the human inclination to perceive elements that share common features as belonging to the same group or category.

Question 36

Principle of proximity

Answer 36

A perceptual principle that emphasizes the human tendency to perceive objects or elements that are close to each other as belonging to the same group. It underscores the importance of spatial proximity in organizing sensory information and forming perceptual groupings.

Question 37

Principle of similarity

Answer 37

A perceptual principle within Gestalt psychology that highlights the human tendency to perceive elements that share similar characteristics, such as shape, size, color, or texture, as belonging to the same group or category. It underscores the importance of perceived similarities in organizing sensory information into meaningful patterns.

Question 38

Productive thinking (Wertheimer)

Answer 38

Introduced by Max Wertheimer within Gestalt psychology. Shifts in perspective which allow the problem solver to consider new, sometimes transformational, approaches

Question 39

Psychological facts (Lewin)

Answer 39

Introduced by Kurt Lewin. The influences or elements present in an individual’s awareness at a given moment, including internal experiences, external events, and recollections of prior experiences.

Question 40

Psychophysical isomorphism

Answer 40

The concept within Gestalt psychology that emphasizes the relationship between physical stimuli and the resulting perceptual experiences. It suggests that there is a correspondence or parallelism between the physical properties of stimuli and the psychological responses they elicit.

Question 41

Quasi needs (Lewin)

Answer 41

Introduced by Kurt Lewin. Psychological needs or intentions that are not necessarily biologically driven but are motivated by personal desires or interests. Highlight the complex nature of human motivations and the role of subjective experiences in driving behavior and decision-making.

Question 42

Transposition

Answer 42

A cognitive process that involves the transfer or application of previously acquired knowledge or solutions to new situations or contexts. It emphasizes the ability of individuals to generalize learned principles or strategies to different scenarios, facilitating problem-solving and adaptation to new challenges.

Question 43

Zeigarnik effect

Answer 43

The term is derived from the work of Bluma Zeigarnik, who conducted research on this phenomenon in 1927. The psychological phenomenon in which individuals remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones.