Gestalt Theory

Understanding Gestalt Theory

Example:

The classic example of Gestalt principles provided by Wertheimer is children finding the area of parallelograms. As long as the parallelograms are regular figures, a standard procedure can be applied (making lines perpendicular from the corners of the base). However, if a parallelogram with a novel shape or orientation is provided, the standard procedure will not work and children are forced to solve the problem by understanding the true structure of a parallelogram (i.e. the figure can be bisected anywhere if the ends are joined).

Principles:

The learner should be encouraged to discover the underlying nature of a topic or problem (i.e. the relationship among the elements).
Gaps, incongruities, or disturbances are important stimulus for learning.
Instructions should be based upon the laws of organisation: proximity, closure, similarity and simplicity.

Gestalt theory has to do with concrete research; it is not only an outcome but a device as well. It is not only a theory about results but also a means toward further discoveries.