This current of psychology was born in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, its theories revolutionized the field of psychology and psychotherapy. Gestalt theory radically changed the approach that was used to apply therapy to patients of that time, focusing on the experiences and experiences of human beings and working on concepts such as decision making, self-knowledge or the famous concept of “the now“.
You want to know What is Gestalt theory, its therapy and main laws? Then we recommend that you continue reading this Psychology-Online article. We provide you with all the information you need to know if you are interested in this psychological therapy.
Gestalt theory: what is it?
Gestalt therapy can be related to . This has as its main element the subjective experiences of the individual who comes to therapy, thus moving away from behaviorism or psychoanalysis, the theories that dominated psychology at the beginning of the 20th century.
To understand what is gestalt theory, his therapy and main laws, we must keep in mind that its objective is not to analyze the negative aspects of the person but quite the opposite: it seeks self-knowledge and improvement through personal growth. It conceives people as beings capable of growing, knowing themselves and developing freely.
Meaning of the word Gestalt
The word Gestalt has its origin in the German language and, although it does not have an exact translation, we understand it as “shape” either “setting“. To better understand this concept, let’s give an example related to one of the Gestalt laws: the whole is more than the union of the elements.
This word took on meaning when some great thinkers such as Kurt Koffka and Max Wertheimer realized that perception is organized and that we better perceive more complex but symmetrical forms and organizations. These principles evolved until they were applied to the human mind thanks to therapists such as Fritz Perls whose studies were based on applying Gestalt principles to person-centered therapies.
What is Gestalt therapy?
According to Gestalt theory, since forms are neither conceived as an absolute totality nor as a sum of parts or fragments, human life does not function that way either. Therefore, from the Gestalt Approach (GE) individual perceptions, subjective beliefs and everything that surrounds the person and can affect their body and mind are worked on. Even family dynamics and factors that, at first glance, seem to have no relationship with the person are studied (an idea from which the systemic therapy and )
In summary, Fritz Perls’ Gestalt psychotherapy conceives the human being as a global concept that must be studied in its entirety and not by analyzing only its parts.
Techniques and principles of Gestalt psychotherapy
- The main purpose of this therapy is personal growth. Each individual has their own maturation path and the objective is to analyze everything around us to improve in all possible areas.
- During this path of self-knowledge, it is important to face adversity through acceptance and awareness.
- The here and now: One of the most important principles in Gestalt psychotherapy is the realization that “the now” is the only experience we can control. Our notions of the past or the future only matter in the present time and it is in this moment where we must focus our attention.
- Another of the most important principles on which Gestalt psychotherapy is based is on a “macro” level analysis of the individual. The person is conditioned by their external experiences and dynamics in the same way that their thoughts and cognitions also influence the psychological state of the individual. As discussed earlier in this article, we must remember that “the whole is more than the sum of the parts“
Today, these therapies continue to be practiced despite the hegemony of cognitive-behavioral therapies. We can find Gestalt institutes and training schools that offer both therapies and master’s degrees to train professionals dedicated to practicing this type of psychology.
Gestalt Laws
Apart from , this same theory can also be applied to perceptual laws. These laws act on the way we conceive the physical forms of our environment. The main Gestalt laws are:
- Law of proximity: Those elements that are close to each other tend to be perceived as a single unit.
- Law of good form: Also known as the law of pregnancy, this principle maintains that all the elements that are part of the same perceptual field are perceived as a unit. (example: when we see a painting, we first perceive the set of stimuli as a single unit, we must focus our attention to analyze the elements that make up said painting).
- Law of equality or similarity: those stimuli similar in composition, color, size or shape tend to be perceived as members of the same group.
- Closing law: incomplete elements can be recognized if sufficient figures are available (example: an unclosed triangle is still perceived as a triangle)
- Figure-ground law: According to this law, a figure is perceived before its background itself.
Next, to better understand what is Gestalt theory: therapy and main laws, we suggest you analyze the following image: what do you see?
This illustration is a clear example of the figure-ground law, when paying attention to both sides, the color white is perceived as a background. On the other hand, when paying attention to the figure of the cup, we perceive that the black faces are the background.
The Gestalt laws are applied in the creation of advertising posters, in painting and in cinema with the aim of creating certain perceptions for the viewer.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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References
- Perls, Fritz. “Gestalt therapy.” Astrolabe, Rome (1980).