Main thoughts of Gestalt Theory

1. Holism

- all of nature is seen as an unified & coherent whole

- that whole is different from the sum of its parts

- no superior value on a particular aspect of the individual

- emphasize integration, fitting parts together, how individual makes contact with environment

2. Field theory

- organism must be seen in its environment, or its context

- everything is relational, in flue, inter-related, & in process

- pay attention to & explore what is occurring at the boundary between person & environment

3. The figure- formation process

- describe how the individual organizes the environment from moment to moment

Background/ground → undifferentiated field

Figure →Emerging focus on attention

- it tracks how some aspects of the environment field emerges from background & becomes focus point of individual’s attention & interests

- dominant needs at a given moment would influence this process

4. Organismic self-regulation

- whenever equilibrium disturbed by emergence of a need, a sensation, or interest → organisms do their best regulating themselves, given their own capabilities & resources of environment

- individual restore equilibrium or growth through take actions/make contacts

- therapists direct client’s awareness to figures emerge from background, then use figure formation process guide to the focus

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