Gestalt Theory

Gestalt Theory
Gestalt Theory
The initial response to behaviorism it emphasized the
importance of sensory wholes and the dynamic nature of visual
reception.
Every stimulus is perceived by humans in its “most simple
form”. The main focus of the theory is “grouping” and the entire
theory emphasizes on the fact that the whole of anything is
greater than the sum of its parts. Besides, “gestalt” in German
means the “shape of an entity’s complete form”. Thus, the
operational principle of the brain is holistic and has a self-
organizing inclination.
MAX WERTHEIMER
Also known for his
concept of the phi
phenomenon. The phi
phenomenon involves
perceiving a series of still
images in rapid succession
in order to create the
illusion of movement.
KURT KOFFKA
Diverse interests and

studied many topics in
psychology including
learning, perception,
and hearing
impairments.
WOLFGANG KOHLER
A key founding figure in the

history of the Gestalt movement,
Kohler also famously summarized
Gestalt theory by saying, "The
whole is different than the sum of
its parts." He was also known for
his research on problem-solving,
his criticisms of
the introspection used by the
structuralists to study the human
mind, and his opposition to
behaviorism.
Experiments of Theory of Learning
by Insight:
(i) Kohler ‘s experiment on Sultan (Experiment with
box):
Kohler kept a monkey (named Sultan) hungry for
some time, and then shut him in a large cage. He hung
bananas from the ceiling, and kept a box on the floor of
the cage, fast beneath.
The monkey could not reach the banana. Another
box was put in a corner of the cage.
But Sultan could not get the idea of placing one box on
the other and thus reaching the banana. Ultimately Kohler
gave demonstration of putting one box on the other.
Sultan could now learn the whole situation. He used his
intelligence and insight to put the two boxes one upon the
other, stand on these and then reach the bananas.
(ii) Experiment with two sticks:
In another experiment Kohler

kept two sticks in the cage. One end
of the shorter sticks could be fitted in
the one end of the longer sticks, so as
to make them longer.
The monkey did not get the
idea of forming the two sticks through
trial and error. When Kohler gave a
hint through putting his finger in the
whole of the bigger stick, the monkey
viewed the whole situation and
performed the right task through
understanding the insight.
Therefore, the teacher should adopt a
multiple approach in learning in the
following manner:
• Planning lesson:
The teacher should plan his lesson appropriately.
• Providing experiences:
He should provide significant and meaningful experiences to the pupil.
• Bringing integration:
He should bring integration between theory and practice.
Educational Implications of Theory of
Learning by Insight
• Proceeding from whole to the part:

This theory explains to us the efficacy of the principle. We must
always proceed from the whole to the part, so as to give a
complete insight into the subject.
• Creating motivation:
In Kohler’s experiment enough of the motivation was created by
keeping the monkey hungry. He was impelled to acquire the food,
and this made him to put his heart and soul in the solution of the
problem.
• Emphasis on Understanding:
For all higher learning, mechanical repetition,
learning by rote, trial and error and blind processing
are useless. What is needed is deep understanding
and insight into the problem.
The Laws of Organization
The factors that determine the principle of “grouping”
also known as the “laws of organization”- are the
following:
1. Law of Proximity
2. Law of Similarity
3. Law of Closure
4. Law of Good Continuation
5. Law of Good Pragnanz
6. Law of Figure/Ground
GESTALT PRINCIPLES:
1.Law of Proximity
Elements are typically grouped together based on their
immediacy.
2. Law of Similarity
Elements similar to one another tend to be grouped
together.
3. Law of Closure
Elements are typically grouped together if they are a part
of an entity.
4. Law of Good Pragnanz also known as the “Law of
Simplicity”
The stimulus will be organized into as good a figure as possible.
5. Law of Figure/Ground
A stimulus will be perceive as separate from its ground
6. Law of Continuity
Explains how our eyes search for continuous forms and follow
smooth paths. This means we prefer to interpret visual information
as connected instead of disconnected.
Law of Similarity
Law of Closure
enough of the
shape is
present to
mentally
complete the
image of a
panda
Law of Pragnanz
is a German term meaning "good figure." The law of

Pragnanz is sometimes referred to as the law of good
figure or the law of simplicity.
Figure-ground Perception:
The “figure” is the
element in focus, while
the “ground” is the
background behind the
figure.
The Rubin goblet - if black region
is recognized, if white region is
recognized as foreground then a
goblet is recognized, but the two can
never be recognized cognized as
foreground then two faces are
simultaneously
Educational Implications of Learning by Insight
( Role of Teacher in Insight Learning)
1. Integrated curriculum
2. Problem as a whole
3. Child as a whole
4. Importance of motivation
5. Importance of transfer
6. Emphasis on intelligent learning
7. Development of higher mental faculties
8. Problem solving approach
9. Useful for difficult subjects
10. Useful for scientific inventions
11. Individual differences
12. Logical presentation
13. Persistent efforts
14. Goal - oriented approach
15. Multiple approach
Application of gestalt laws has been suggested for concept
and knowledge maps design (considering colors, shapes and
groupings), where it has provided positive results.
Criticisms
Gestalt theory was mostly criticized for:

being too descriptive instead of offering explanations and
models for described phenomena,
investigating subjective experiences like perception,
lack of precision in descriptions and just qualitative description,
denying the basic scientific approach of understanding a whole
as a set of its parts.
Primary goal
encourage the brain to view not just the

whole, but also the parts that make up that
whole.
The Main Principles Of The Gestalt Theory In
Learning Are:
> Teachers should encourage their students to discover the
relationship of the elements that make up a problem
> Incongruities, gaps, or disturbances are essential stimuli in

the learning process
> Educational instruction should be based on the Laws of

Organization
Prepared by:
Asuan, Vina D.
Azurias, Neneth
Tanael, Allen F.

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Gestalt Theory

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Gestalt Theory

Diverse interests and

A key founding figure in the

In another experiment Kohler

• Proceeding from whole to the part:

is a German term meaning "good figure." The law of

Gestalt theory was mostly criticized for:

encourage the brain to view not just the

> Incongruities, gaps, or disturbances are essential stimuli in

> Educational instruction should be based on the Laws of

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