Gestalt Psychology

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryPrinciplesUsesImpactFAQs

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History

Principles

Uses

Impact

FAQs

Close

Gestalt psychology is aschool of thoughtthat looks at the human mind and behavior as a whole. Gestalt psychology suggests that humans don’t focus on separate components but instead tend to perceive objects as elements of more complex systems.

Emily Roberts / Verywell

A core belief in Gestalt psychology isholism—that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.The approach has played a major role in the study of human sensation andperception.

Gestalt MeaningGestaltis a German word that roughly means “configuration” or the way things are put together to form a whole.

Gestalt Meaning

Gestaltis a German word that roughly means “configuration” or the way things are put together to form a whole.

The History of Gestalt Psychology

Originating in the work ofMax Wertheimer, Gestalt psychology formed in part as a response to the structuralism ofWilhelm Wundt.

A number of thinkers influenced the development of Gestalt psychology, including Immanuel Kant, Ernst Mach, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Wertheimer developed Gestalt psychology after observing what he called the phi phenomenon while watching alternating lights on a railway signal.The phi phenomenon is an optical illusion where two stationary objects seem to move if they are shown appearing and disappearing in rapid succession. In other words, we perceive movement where there is none.

Influential Gestalt Psychologists

Wertheimer’s observations of the phi phenomenon are widely credited as the beginning of Gestalt psychology and he went on to publicize the core principles of the field. Other psychologists also had an influence on this school of psychology.

Wolfgang Köhler: Köhler connected Gestalt psychology to the natural sciences, arguing that organic phenomena are examples of holism at work. He also studied hearing and looked atproblem-solvingabilities in chimpanzees.

Kurt Koffka: Together with Wertheimer and Köhler, Koffka is considered a founder of the field. He applied the concept of Gestalt tochild psychology, arguing that infants first understand things holistically before learning to differentiate them into parts. Koffka played a key role in bringing Gestalt principles to the United States.

Principles of Gestalt Psychology

Wertheimer created principles to explain how Gestalt perception functions. Some of the most important principles of Gestalt theory are:

Gestalt Laws of Perception

Uses of Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt psychology is useful in many areas, including therapy, design, product development, and learning.

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapyis based on the idea that overall perception depends on the interaction between many factors. Among these factors are our past experiences, current environment, thoughts, feelings, and needs. Gestalt therapy involves key concepts such asawareness, unfinished business, and personal responsibility.

The main goal of Gestalt therapy is to help usfocus on the present. While past context is important for viewing yourself as a whole, a Gestalt therapist will encourage you to keep your focus on your present experience.

Research suggests that Gestalt therapy is effective at treating symptoms ofdepressionandanxiety, and it may help people gain confidence and increase feelings ofself-efficacyand self-kindness.It is often a helpful way to structuregroup therapy.

The therapeutic process is reliant on therelationship between the client and therapist. As a client, you must feel comfortable enough to develop a close partnership with your therapist, and they must be able to create an unbiased environment where you can discuss your thoughts and experiences.

What Is Therapeutic Rapport?

Design

Beginning in the 1920s, designers began incorporating Gestalt principles in their work. Gestalt psychology led these designers to believe that we all share certain characteristics in the way we perceive visual objects and that we all have a natural ability to see “good” design.

Designers embraced Gestalt concepts, usingour perceptionof contrast, color, symmetry, repetition, and proportion to create their work.Gestalt psychology influenced other design concepts, such as:

Figure-Ground Perception in Psychology

Product Development

Product designers use Gestalt psychology to inform their decisions during the development process. Consumers tend to like products that follow Gestalt principles.

This influence can be seen in the appearance of the products themselves and in their packaging and advertising. We can also see Gestalt principles at work inappsand digital products. Concepts like proximity, similarity, and continuity have become standards of our expected user experience.

Learning and Education

The Gestalt Theory of Learning relies on the law of simplicity. In simple terms, it states that each learning stimulus is perceived in its simplest form.

Impact of Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt theory is also important in that the idea of the whole being different than its parts has influenced our understanding of the brain and social behavior. Gestalt theory still impacts how we understand vision and the ways that context, visual illusions, and information processing impact our perception.

The Takeaway

Gestalt therapy continues as an effective tool for psychologists today. Its emphasis on a holistic approach plays an important role incognitive psychology, perception, andsocial psychology, among other fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gestalt psychology has influenced how we study perception and sensation. It also increases our understanding of how our cognitive processes influence the way we behave socially.

Some therapists use Gestalt psychology to help patients focus on the present over the past. Designers and product developers also use Gestalt theory to make their creations more appealing or to draw focus to certain elements over others. Educators may also use Gestalt principles to help their students learn.

15 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jäkel F, Singh M, Wichmann FA, Herzog MH.An overview of quantitative approaches in Gestalt perception.Vis Res. 2016;126:3-8. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2016.06.004Wagemans J, Elder JH, Kubovy M, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception: I. Perceptual grouping and figure-ground organization.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1172-1217. doi:10.1037/a0029333Bonacchi S, Czerniak S.Introduction: Gestalt as structure principles in science, art and language.Dialogue Universal.2015;25(4):7-9. doi:10.5840/du201525480Gundlach H.Max Wertheimer,Habilitationcandidate at the Frankfurt Psychological Institute.History Psychol. 2014;17(2):134-48. doi:10.1037/a0036159Wagemans J.Historical and conceptual background: Gestalt theory. In: Wagemans J, ed.,The Oxford Handbook of Perceptual Organization. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199686858.013.026Wagemans J, Feldman J, Gepshtein S, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception II. Conceptual and theoretical foundations.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1218-1252. doi:10.1037/a0029334O’Leary E.Key concepts of Gestalt therapy and processing.Gestalt Therapy Around the World. doi:10.1002/9781118323410.ch2Raffagnino R.Gestalt therapy effectiveness: A systematic review of empirical evidence.Open J Soc Sci. 2019;7(6):66-83. doi:10.4236/jss.2019.76005Moszkowicz J.Gestalt and graphic design: An exploration of the humanistic and therapeutic effects of visual organization.Des Issues. 2011;27(4):56-67. doi:10.1162/DESI_a_00105O’Connor Z.Colour, contrast and Gestalt theories of perception: The impact in contemporary visual communications design.Color Res Appl. 2015;40(1):85-92. doi:10.1002/col.21858Valencia-Romero A, Lugo J.An immersive virtual discrete choice experiment for elicitation of product aesthetics using Gestalt principles.Design Sci. 2017;3:E11. doi:10.1017/dsj.2017.12Liang Y.Application of Gestalt psychology in product human-machine interface design.IOP Conf Series: Materials Sci Engineer. 2018;392:062054. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/392/6/062054Lee C.Instructional design models and theories: The Gestalt psychology of learning. Arizona State University.Britannica.Max Wertheimer: Czech psychologist.Koenderink J, van Doorn A, Pinna B.Measures ofPrägnanz?Gestalt Theory. 2018;40(1):7-28. doi:10.2478/gth-2018-0002

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jäkel F, Singh M, Wichmann FA, Herzog MH.An overview of quantitative approaches in Gestalt perception.Vis Res. 2016;126:3-8. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2016.06.004Wagemans J, Elder JH, Kubovy M, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception: I. Perceptual grouping and figure-ground organization.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1172-1217. doi:10.1037/a0029333Bonacchi S, Czerniak S.Introduction: Gestalt as structure principles in science, art and language.Dialogue Universal.2015;25(4):7-9. doi:10.5840/du201525480Gundlach H.Max Wertheimer,Habilitationcandidate at the Frankfurt Psychological Institute.History Psychol. 2014;17(2):134-48. doi:10.1037/a0036159Wagemans J.Historical and conceptual background: Gestalt theory. In: Wagemans J, ed.,The Oxford Handbook of Perceptual Organization. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199686858.013.026Wagemans J, Feldman J, Gepshtein S, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception II. Conceptual and theoretical foundations.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1218-1252. doi:10.1037/a0029334O’Leary E.Key concepts of Gestalt therapy and processing.Gestalt Therapy Around the World. doi:10.1002/9781118323410.ch2Raffagnino R.Gestalt therapy effectiveness: A systematic review of empirical evidence.Open J Soc Sci. 2019;7(6):66-83. doi:10.4236/jss.2019.76005Moszkowicz J.Gestalt and graphic design: An exploration of the humanistic and therapeutic effects of visual organization.Des Issues. 2011;27(4):56-67. doi:10.1162/DESI_a_00105O’Connor Z.Colour, contrast and Gestalt theories of perception: The impact in contemporary visual communications design.Color Res Appl. 2015;40(1):85-92. doi:10.1002/col.21858Valencia-Romero A, Lugo J.An immersive virtual discrete choice experiment for elicitation of product aesthetics using Gestalt principles.Design Sci. 2017;3:E11. doi:10.1017/dsj.2017.12Liang Y.Application of Gestalt psychology in product human-machine interface design.IOP Conf Series: Materials Sci Engineer. 2018;392:062054. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/392/6/062054Lee C.Instructional design models and theories: The Gestalt psychology of learning. Arizona State University.Britannica.Max Wertheimer: Czech psychologist.Koenderink J, van Doorn A, Pinna B.Measures ofPrägnanz?Gestalt Theory. 2018;40(1):7-28. doi:10.2478/gth-2018-0002

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Jäkel F, Singh M, Wichmann FA, Herzog MH.An overview of quantitative approaches in Gestalt perception.Vis Res. 2016;126:3-8. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2016.06.004Wagemans J, Elder JH, Kubovy M, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception: I. Perceptual grouping and figure-ground organization.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1172-1217. doi:10.1037/a0029333Bonacchi S, Czerniak S.Introduction: Gestalt as structure principles in science, art and language.Dialogue Universal.2015;25(4):7-9. doi:10.5840/du201525480Gundlach H.Max Wertheimer,Habilitationcandidate at the Frankfurt Psychological Institute.History Psychol. 2014;17(2):134-48. doi:10.1037/a0036159Wagemans J.Historical and conceptual background: Gestalt theory. In: Wagemans J, ed.,The Oxford Handbook of Perceptual Organization. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199686858.013.026Wagemans J, Feldman J, Gepshtein S, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception II. Conceptual and theoretical foundations.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1218-1252. doi:10.1037/a0029334O’Leary E.Key concepts of Gestalt therapy and processing.Gestalt Therapy Around the World. doi:10.1002/9781118323410.ch2Raffagnino R.Gestalt therapy effectiveness: A systematic review of empirical evidence.Open J Soc Sci. 2019;7(6):66-83. doi:10.4236/jss.2019.76005Moszkowicz J.Gestalt and graphic design: An exploration of the humanistic and therapeutic effects of visual organization.Des Issues. 2011;27(4):56-67. doi:10.1162/DESI_a_00105O’Connor Z.Colour, contrast and Gestalt theories of perception: The impact in contemporary visual communications design.Color Res Appl. 2015;40(1):85-92. doi:10.1002/col.21858Valencia-Romero A, Lugo J.An immersive virtual discrete choice experiment for elicitation of product aesthetics using Gestalt principles.Design Sci. 2017;3:E11. doi:10.1017/dsj.2017.12Liang Y.Application of Gestalt psychology in product human-machine interface design.IOP Conf Series: Materials Sci Engineer. 2018;392:062054. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/392/6/062054Lee C.Instructional design models and theories: The Gestalt psychology of learning. Arizona State University.Britannica.Max Wertheimer: Czech psychologist.Koenderink J, van Doorn A, Pinna B.Measures ofPrägnanz?Gestalt Theory. 2018;40(1):7-28. doi:10.2478/gth-2018-0002

Jäkel F, Singh M, Wichmann FA, Herzog MH.An overview of quantitative approaches in Gestalt perception.Vis Res. 2016;126:3-8. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2016.06.004

Wagemans J, Elder JH, Kubovy M, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception: I. Perceptual grouping and figure-ground organization.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1172-1217. doi:10.1037/a0029333

Bonacchi S, Czerniak S.Introduction: Gestalt as structure principles in science, art and language.Dialogue Universal.2015;25(4):7-9. doi:10.5840/du201525480

Gundlach H.Max Wertheimer,Habilitationcandidate at the Frankfurt Psychological Institute.History Psychol. 2014;17(2):134-48. doi:10.1037/a0036159

Wagemans J.Historical and conceptual background: Gestalt theory. In: Wagemans J, ed.,The Oxford Handbook of Perceptual Organization. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199686858.013.026

Wagemans J, Feldman J, Gepshtein S, et al.A century of Gestalt psychology in visual perception II. Conceptual and theoretical foundations.Psychol Bull. 2012;138(6):1218-1252. doi:10.1037/a0029334

O’Leary E.Key concepts of Gestalt therapy and processing.Gestalt Therapy Around the World. doi:10.1002/9781118323410.ch2

Raffagnino R.Gestalt therapy effectiveness: A systematic review of empirical evidence.Open J Soc Sci. 2019;7(6):66-83. doi:10.4236/jss.2019.76005

Moszkowicz J.Gestalt and graphic design: An exploration of the humanistic and therapeutic effects of visual organization.Des Issues. 2011;27(4):56-67. doi:10.1162/DESI_a_00105

O’Connor Z.Colour, contrast and Gestalt theories of perception: The impact in contemporary visual communications design.Color Res Appl. 2015;40(1):85-92. doi:10.1002/col.21858

Valencia-Romero A, Lugo J.An immersive virtual discrete choice experiment for elicitation of product aesthetics using Gestalt principles.Design Sci. 2017;3:E11. doi:10.1017/dsj.2017.12

Liang Y.Application of Gestalt psychology in product human-machine interface design.IOP Conf Series: Materials Sci Engineer. 2018;392:062054. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/392/6/062054

Lee C.Instructional design models and theories: The Gestalt psychology of learning. Arizona State University.

Britannica.Max Wertheimer: Czech psychologist.

Koenderink J, van Doorn A, Pinna B.Measures ofPrägnanz?Gestalt Theory. 2018;40(1):7-28. doi:10.2478/gth-2018-0002

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?