Gestalt psychology

Question 1

Important names

Answer 1

Gestalt psychology developed in response to the work of Wilhelm Wundt who was the founder of structuralism. Followers of structuralism thought that the best way to understand the mind was to break thoughts down into their most basic components and then create laws regarding how they are connected.

The Gestalt psychologists recognised that individual items/thoughts need to be examined together. This was because they understood that individual items interact and add complexity to the overall picture.

Important names associated with Gestalt psychology are Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang K�hler.

Max Wertheimer noted that rapid sequences of perceptual events, such as rows of flashing lights, create the illusion of motion even when there is none. This is known as the phi phenomenon. Motion pictures are based upon this principle, with a series of still images appearing in rapid succession to form a seamless visual experience.

Question 2

Pragnanz

Answer 2

This is the central law that states that ‘every stimulus pattern is seen in such a way that the resulting structure is as simple as possible’.

Question 3

Similarity between

Answer 3

Items that are similar tend to be grouped together.

Question 4

Proximity

Answer 4

Things that are near each other seem to be grouped together.

Question 5

Continuity

Answer 5

Points that are connected by straight or curving lines are seen in a way that follows the smoothest path.

Question 6

Closure

Answer 6

Things are grouped together if they seem to complete a picture. When presented with a picture we tend to fill in the gaps to turn something into a meaningful image.