Gestalt Psychology

GESTALT

PSYCHOLOGY

Gestalt Theory - was the initial cognitive response to behaviorism. - is how people tend to organize forms/figures as a whole. • The term gestalt, means “form” or “configuration.”

• Psychologists: “perceivers (learners) were not passive, but rather active.” • When you looked at the pictures in the activity, your mind followed certain principles of perception. Gestalt psychology is concerned with such principles.

PROPONENTS

LAW of PROXIMITY - holds the things close together and grouped together in perception.

LAW of SIMILARITY - Refers to perception of similar objects that tends to be related.

LAW of CLOSURE - States that incomplete figures tends to be seen as complete.

LAW of CONTINUATION - States that the perceptual organization tends to preserve smooth continuities rather than abrupt changes.

LAW of PRAGNANZ -

The word pragnanz is a German term meaning "good figure." is sometimes referred to as the law of good figure or the law of simplicity. This law holds that objects in the environment are seen in a way that makes them appear as simple as possible.

LAW of FIGURE/GROUND -

The word pragnanz is a German term meaning "good figure." is sometimes referred to as the law of good figure or the law of simplicity. This law holds that objects in the environment are seen in a way that makes them appear as simple as possible.