Gestalt Psychology
This field holds that behaviorists and structuralists emphasized individual parts too
heavily. These psychologists believe
that in order to fully understand psychology, one must consider the entire
configuration, without dividing it. This
field moved psychology as a whole towards understanding behavior and
consciousness as a whole, not divisible parts.
1875-----1900-----1925-----1950-----1975-----2000
-------------Kohler------------
Phi Phenomenon à two lights flash and it appears to be one moving light
Precise measurements (i.e. of IQ) are only useful if we know what we are measuring
Psychophysical Isomorphism à the patterns of experience are equivalent to the pattern of brain activity they produce
The brain does not passively receive and record sensory information but instead transforms it (against constancy)
Law of Prägnanz à mental events are organized optimally as a result of the characteristics of the force fields in the brain
Perceptual Constancy à responding to objects in the same way even though we can see them in a variety of circumstances
-Figure-ground relationship
Principles of Continuity, Inclusiveness, Proximity, Similarity, Closure
Subjective and objective realities are distinct
Insightful learning à insight is achieved through cognitive trial and error
Transposition à an animal learns relationships, not responses (chickens & paper)
Productive Thinking à involves understanding concepts, not rote memorization
Kurt Lewin 1890-1947
Complex forces acting on a person explain their behavior
Life Space à all of the influences (psychological facts) acting on a person at a given time
Principle of Contemporaneity à only the things currently in the life space can influence a person, they must be aware of them
Three types of conflict:
-approach—approach à someone is torn between two attractive goals
-avoidance—avoidance à someone is repelled by two unattractive goals
-approach—avoidance à one goal has attractive and unattractive qualities
Group Dynamics studies (lecture versus group discussion) (democratic, authoritarian, and laissez-faire groups of boys)