Gestalt Psychology Overview

Study Notes

Gestalt Psychology

Definition: A school of psychology that emphasizes how humans perceive objects as organized wholes, rather than as a collection of parts.
Key Researchers: Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, and Kurt Koffka.
Core Principle: The whole is different from the sum of its parts. For example, removing flowers from a flower pot changes its configuration but the flower pot remains a whole.
Pragnanz: The human brain prioritizes perceiving organized and simple shapes, seeking "good figure" or "pragnanz".
Figure-Ground Segregation: The basic form of visual organization, where a distinct figure is differentiated from a background.
- Figure Characteristics: Clear contour, stands out, appears closer and clearer.
- Background Characteristics: Contourless, stays behind, appears unclear, limitless, and distant.

Gestalt Principles of Visual Organization

Principle of Proximity: Objects close together in space or time are perceived as belonging together.
Principle of Similarity: Objects with similar characteristics are perceived as a group.
Principle of Continuity: Objects that form a continuous pattern are perceived as belonging together.
Principle of Smallness: Smaller areas tend to be seen as figures against a larger background.
Principle of Symmetry: Symmetrical areas tend to be seen as figures against asymmetrical backgrounds.
Principle of Surroundedness: Areas surrounded by others tend to be perceived as figures.
Principle of Closure: We fill in missing information to perceive complete objects, rather than individual parts.

Description

Explore the core concepts of Gestalt psychology, including key researchers and principles. Understand how humans perceive organized wholes and the importance of figure-ground segregation in visual perception. Test your knowledge on the principles that govern our perception of objects.