Gestalt Psychology

Question 1

How did Wertheimer’s explanation of apparent motion differ from Wundt’s explanation?

Answer 1

• Wertheimer explained apparent motion through the phi phenomenon, emphasizing perceptual organization and the mind’s tendency to perceive patterns.
• Wundt attributed apparent motion to associations formed through past experiences of real movement, highlighting the role of associative learning in shaping perceptual experiences.
• Wertheimer focused on perceptual processes, while Wundt emphasized associative learning in their explanations of apparent motion.

Question 2

Explain the Law of Pragnanz and the underlying Gestalt principles that support this law.

Answer 2

• The law of Prägnanz asserts that cognitive experiences tend to be organized, symmetrical, simple, and regular given the prevailing circumstances.
• Physical forces that create configurations in the environment also influence configurations in the brain.
• These forces distribute themselves in the most simple and symmetrical manner possible.
• The principle of psychophysical isomorphism suggests that conscious experience is directly related to patterns of brain activity.
• Brain activity tends to organize itself into mental experiences that are simple and symmetrical, reflecting the underlying physical forces.

Question 3

Explain Perceptual Gestalten

Answer 3

• Perceptual Gestalten are principles describing how humans organize and perceive visual information.
• The most basic perception involves dividing the perceptual field into two parts: the figure and the ground.
• The figure is clear, unified, and the object of attention.
• The ground is diffuse and comprises everything not being attended to.
• This division creates a figure-ground relationship.
• Shifting attention can change what is perceived as the figure and what is perceived as the ground.

Question 4

Gestalt Principles of Psychology

Continuity

Answer 4

• Stimuli that have continuity with one another will be experienced as a perceptual unit.
• Intrinsic togetherness, imminent necessity, and good continuation

Question 5

Gestalt Principles of Psychology

Proximity

Answer 5

• When stimuli are close together, they tend to be grouped as a perceptual unit.

Question 6

Gestalt Principles of Psychology

Similarity

Answer 6

• Objects that are similar in some way tend to form perceptual units.
• This is known as the principle of similarity.
• For example, twins stand out as a phenomenon in a crowd.

Question 7

Gestalt Principles of Psychology

Closure

Answer 7

• Incomplete figures in the physical world are perceived as complete ones.

Question 8

What was the Gestaltist’s explanation for incremental learning?

Answer 8

• Insightful learning, developed by Kohler’s research on apes, involves problem-solving that disrupts equilibrium in brain activity.
• Organisms scan their environment to find a solution when faced with a problem.
• The process involves a pre-solution stage where the organism engages in cognitive trial and error.
• The organism gains insight into the solution and acts on it.
• Gestaltists assert that a problem can exist in only two stages: solved or unsolved.
• Incremental learning was rejected by Gestaltists as it was believed that insight was necessary for learning and incremental progress is not possible.

Question 9

How did Kohler challenge and disprove learning through reinforcement proposed by Skinner, Thorndike and Hull?

Answer 9

• Kohler’s experiment involved chickens choosing between pecking at grain on white or grey sheets.
• They learned to peck only at the grey sheet over time.
• Thorndike, Hull, and Skinner would interpret this learning as reinforcement strengthening the response to eating off the grey paper.
• When the white sheet was replaced with black, most chickens approached the black paper, contrary to predictions.
• Kohler explained that the chickens had learned a principle, not a specific stimulus-response association.
• Gestaltists believe organisms learn principles and apply them to similar situations, termed transposition.

Question 10

What was Kurt Lewin’s explanation of human behaviour?

Answer 10

• Kurt Lewin developed the field theory, emphasizing dynamic and complex forces influencing individuals.
• Rejecting Aristotle’s notion of an inner essence, Lewin asserted that behavior is shaped by external and internal factors.
• Human behavior is determined by both personality traits (internal factors) and environmental influences (external factors).
• Lewin introduced the concept of tensions, arising from biological and psychological needs.
• Tensions in the life space, encompassing all influences on an individual, can only be alleviated by satisfying these needs.