Gestalt

The term "Gestalt" refers to an object / figure intact and distinct from the sum of its parts.

Gestalt flow appeared in Germany as a critique of structuralism Wundt. Gestalt view reject the analysis and decomposition of the soul into the elements that are smaller because then, the meaning of life itself changed since the form of unity is also missing.

A. BACKGROUND.

• Wuerzburg group.

In addition to the Wundt, in Germany developed another bond on a group of intellectuals who are not as strong as the Wundt, but was not satisfied with the views of Wundt. Flow stresses that mental activity can be manifested in consciousness nonsensoris, the initial thinking about higher mental processes. Mind has its own categories, and are able to form mental organization, must not appear in the form of sensory activity. Real form of this organization are the patterns of perception.

• Phenomenological approach.

This approach focuses on detailed observation and description of symptoms, without the need to explain the background of the symptoms or infer anything from these symptoms. In connection with the gestalt view, a phenomenological approach of Edmund Husserl (1859 - 1938) is very influential, observations and detailed descriptions of the individual perceived mental activity.

B. Gestalt figures

• Max Wertheimer (1880-1943)

Learning on Kuelpe, a prominent stream Wuerzburg. Together with Wolfgang Koehler (1887-1967) and Kurt Koffka (1887-1941) conducted experiments that eventually spawned the idea of ​​Gestalt. In 1910 he taught at the University of Frankfurt together dnegan Koehler and Koffka who was already an assistant there.

The concept of importance: phi phenomenon (static object moves into a series of dynamic movements that emerged after a short time and thus allow humans to interpret).

 With this concept, Wertheimer refers to the objective interpretation of the sensations that we receive. This process occurs in the brain and not at all physical processes, but the mental process. With this statement he contradicts the opinion of Wundt refers to the physical processes as an explanation phi phenomenon.

C. Basic principles of Gestalt.

1. The interaction between the individual and the environment referred to as the perceptual field. Each field has a perceptual organization, which tend to be perceived by humans as figure and ground. Therefore, the ability of perception is an innate human function, rather than a learned skill. This affects the organization of the established meaning.
2. Organizing principles:

• Principle of Proximity: The organization is based on the proximity of the elements
• Principle of Similarity: The organization is based on common elements
• Principle of Objective Set: Organizations based on the mental set of preconceived
• Principle of Continuity: The organization is based on the continuity of the pattern
• Principle of Closure / Principle of Good Form: The organization is based on "perfect shape"
• Principle of Figure and Ground: The organization is based on the perception of a more prominent and is considered a "figure". Important dimension in the perception of figures and objects are the relationships between the parts and figure, not a characteristic of the part itself. Although aspects of the change, provided that the link-fixed figure, the perception will remain. Example: change the tone does not change the perception of melodies.
• Principle of isomorphism: The organization is based context.

D. Application of the principles of Gestalt

Learn
The learning process is a cognitive phenomenon. If individuals experience the learning process, occurs in the perceptual reorganization fieldnya. After learning occurs, one can have a new perspective on a problem.

Insight
Accurate problem solving that comes after the process of testing a variety of alleged / possible. After the experience of insight, individuals are able to apply the similar problem without the need to go through trial-error process again. The concept of this insight is important in studying the phenomenon, discovered by Koehler in systematic experiments.

Memory
The results of the perception of the object left a trail of memories. As time passes, the memory trace will change also in line with the organizational principles of the object. Application of Principles of Good Form frequently arise and proven experimentally. Socially, this phenomenon also explains the influence of gossip / rumors.
 

Gestalt outlook is quite widely recognized in Germany, but not long exist in Germany as it begins to influence Hitler's power is constrained by narrow-minded about science. Gestalt many leaders who had fled to the U.S. and trying to develop ideas in there. However this is easily done because the o's in the U.S. at the time the view is dominated by behaviorism. As a result, gestalt psychology is recognized as a school psychologist, but the effect is not as strong as behaviorism.

Nevertheless, there are several points worth noting as the implications of Gestalt flow.

Implications of Gestalt

• Phenomenological approach to become one of the approaches that exist in psychology and the Gestalt approach suggests that leaders can learn higher psychological study of mental processes, which has been avoided because of the abstract, but still able to maintain the scientific and empirical aspects.
• Gestalt view of the flow of behaviorism perfected by contributing ideas to explore the cognitive learning process, focusing on the higher mental processes. The existence of perceptual field which is interpreted to be the field of cognitive mental processes such as perception, insight, and problem solving operations. Leader: Tolman and Koehler.

Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)

The view was applied in the field of Gestalt psychology of Kurt Lewin. Lewin was one of the experts who are very strongly advocated a person's understanding of the psychological field.

Lewin was born in Germany, graduated from the University of Berlin Ph.D in psychology year 1914. He was heavily involved with Gestalt thinkers, namely Wertheimer and Koehler and also takes the concept of Gestalt psychological field. By the time Hitler came to power Lewin left Germany and continued his career in the United States. He became a professor at Cornell University and became Director of the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the Massacusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) until his death at the age of 56 years.

Lewin is the main concept of Life Space, which is where the individuals are the psychological field and moving. Psychological field consists of facts and objects significant psychological and determines the behavior of individuals (B = f L). The main task of psychology tends to predict the behavior of individuals based on all the psychological facts that exist in the psychological field at any given time. Life space is divided into parts having boundaries. This limit can dipahamis sa an individual barriers to achieve its objectives (see fig.11 case 251). Movement of individuals to achieve goals (goal) is called Locomotion.

In the psychological field is also the case of power (forces) that attract and encourage individuals close to and away from the goal. If there is an imbalance (disequilibrium), then the tension (tension). Individual behavior will be directed to relieve tension and restore balance.

When individuals face an object, then how is the valence of the scores for the individual will determine the movement of individuals. At umumnnya individuals will approach the object of positive valence and negative valence of an object away. In its positive valence approach the object, so there may be obstacles. These barriers may well be the object of a negative valence for the individual. Individual approach toward / away from the destination is called a vector. The vector also has the power and leave the starting point.

With the concept of vectors, power, and this valence Lewin explains his theory about the three types of conflict (approach-approach, approach-avoidance, and avoidance-avoidance).

Application of Lewin's theory is mostly done in the context of group dynamics. Basis of thinking is analogous to a group of individuals. Then the behavior becomes a function of environmental groups, where one factor is the group members and their interpersonal relationships. If the relationship is negative valence, then the behavior of members will be away from it and thus the group's goal is not achieved. Conversely, a good relationship will make the members toward each other to allow better cooperation in achieving the goals of the group.

Lewin's theory of criticism for focusing on the construct-konstruknya are considered hypothetical and difficult dikongkritkan in experimental situations. The implication is difficult to explain Lewin at the level of explanatory and descriptive nature.