REPORTED BY

ERWIN V. REY
TCP 7 FACILITATING LEARNING
WHAT IS GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY?
> It is a school of Psychology founded in the 20th
century that provided the foundation of the modern
study of perception.
The word Gestalt is used in modern German to mean
the way a thing has been placed or put together.
Gestalt Theory was the initial cognitive response to
behaviourism.
 It emphasize the importance of sensory wholes and
the dynamic nature of visual perception.

The term Gestalt means form, pattern, or

configuration.
THE FOUNDERS OF GESTALT
Wolfgang Kohler ( January 22, 1887 June 11, 1967 )
 He was a German Psychologist and phenomenologist
who contributed to the creation of Gestalt Psychology.
 Max Wertheimer ( April 15, 1880 October 12, 1943
)
 He is known for his work Productive thinking as well
as his idea of Phi Phenomenon. Both contributed to
his collaboration on Gestalt Psychology.
 Kurt Koffka ( March 18, 1886 November 22, 1941 )
 He was a German Psychologist along with Max
Wertheimer and Wolfgang Kohler, they establish
Gestalt Psychology.

They included perception, hearing impairments in

brain-damage patients, interpretation, learning and
the extension of Gestalt theory to development
psychology.
GESTALT PRINCIPLE
According to Gestalt Psychologists,
the way we form our perception are
guided by certain principles of laws.
These principles determine what we see or
make of things or situations.
LAW OF PROXIMITY
Elements that are closer together will perceived as
coherent object.
LAW OF SIMILARITY
Elements that look similar will be perceives as part of
the same form.
LAW OF CLOSURE
We tend to fill the gaps or close the figure we
perceive. We enclose a space by completing contour
and ignoring gaps in the figure.
LAW OF GOOD CONTINUATION
Individuals have the tendency to continue contours
whenever the elements of the pattern establish an
implied direction. People intend to draw a good
continuous line.
LAW OF PRAGNANZ
The stimulus will be organized into as good as figure as
possible
LAW OF FIGURE/ GROUND
We tend to pay attention and perceive things on the
first. A stimulus will be perceived as separate from its
ground.
APPLICATION OF GESTALT THEORY
IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
Gestalt is a theory of learning that focuses on the
minds perspective. It is useful as a behavioural tool as
it enables the teacher to channel the pupils energy into
thinking of an item or subject as part of a whole ( e.g.
A car, being metal part, wheel etc. )
 By thinking of components and breaking down a
situation, it enables for a more psychological process
to take place and over time will broaden a pupils mind
into thinking of the sum of the whole rather than just a
complete thing of situation.
 Provides relevant, challenging and enjoyable learning
experiences and stimulating context to meet the needs
of the children.
Different perspective deepens understanding.
Make the curriculum more coherent and meaningful
from the learners point of view.
THANK YOU