Gestalt Psychology Overview

A school of psychology that emphasizes the importance of the whole, or the gestalt, rather than the sum of its parts. Gestalt psychologists believe that we perceive the world in a holistic manner, and that our perceptions are influenced by our expectations and past experiences.

The apparent movement of stationary objects when presented in rapid succession. It is a fundamental phenomenon in the study of visual perception and was a key factor in launching Gestalt psychology.

The founder of Gestalt psychology, Max Wertheimer, conducted a series of experiments on the Phi-Phenomenon in the early 1900s, leading to the development of the Gestalt school of thought.

This school of psychology is known for its contributions to our understanding of perception, specifically emphasizing how we perceive visual information.

A technique used to help people overcome phobias and anxieties by systematically exposing them to fear-inducing situations in a gradual and controlled manner.

A technique used in systematic desensitization where individuals learn relaxation methods, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to manage anxiety.

A step in systematic desensitization in which the individual creates a list of situations that trigger their fear, ranked from least to most anxiety-inducing.

This is the final stage of systematic desensitization, where the individual is exposed to their fears while practicing the relaxation techniques learned in the first step.

A therapy approach that gradually exposes a person to their feared stimuli while they use relaxation techniques. It helps to reduce anxiety by slowly desensitizing the individual to the fear-inducing situation.

A psychological theory that focuses on breaking down mental processes into their basic components. This is done through introspection, where individuals examine their own thoughts and feelings.

An influential psychologist who introduced Structuralism and emphasized the use of introspection to understand consciousness.

A criticism of Structuralism, highlighting its reliance on subjective introspection and lack of practical applications. This limitation contributed to its limited impact on the field of psychology.

A theoretical framework that emphasizes the importance of both the individual and the environment in shaping behavior. It suggests that behavior is a function of both personal characteristics and situational factors.

How we perceive the world is influenced by our individual knowledge and experiences. Different cultures may see different things in the same image based on their understanding of the world.

A model that suggests our perception of the world is influenced by our expectations, experiences, and prior knowledge. This can lead to different interpretations of the same information.

A philosophical stance that emphasizes the importance of human experience, personal growth, and self-actualization. It contrasts with more objective and scientific approaches to psychology.

Edward B. Titchener aimed to understand the structure of the mind by breaking down mental processes into their simplest components, known as sensations, images, and affections. He used introspection, where trained observers carefully examined and reported on their own conscious experiences. However, structuralism was criticized for its subjectivity and lack of practical applications.

Functionalism, influenced by James and Darwin, focused on the practical functions of the mind. It explored how mental processes help us adapt to our environment and solve problems in daily life. This approach emphasized the purpose of mental activities.

Gestalt psychology challenged structuralism by emphasizing the holistic nature of perception. It argued that we perceive the world in a unified way, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Gestalt psychologists emphasized the importance of patterns, relationships, and context in how we understand the world.

A key technique used in Structuralism, introspection involved trained observers reporting on their own subjective experiences. However, this method was criticized for its subjectivity and lack of reliability.

Structuralism, though criticized, laid the foundation for scientific analysis of the mind. Its emphasis on systematic observation and controlled experiments contributed to the development of psychology as a science.

Titchener, a student of Wilhelm Wundt, further developed Structuralism. He aimed to understand the basic elements of consciousness and how they combine to form complex mental experiences. He identified sensations, images, and affections as the fundamental building blocks of consciousness.