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/lp/american-psychological-association/a-source-book-of-gestalt-psychology-some-gestalt-problems-Pbgh1x7L5A
- Publisher
- Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Company
- Copyright
- Copyright © 1938 American Psychological Association
- Pages
- 55 –70
- DOI
- 10.1037/11496-004
- Publisher site
- See Chapter on Publisher Site
Abstract
The name "Gestalt theory" denotes a way of thinking which seems to be of productive significance for the problems of various sciences. This paper will suggest the kind of answer to physiological questions which this mode of thinking engenders. Every part of an organism is constantly being influenced both by the outside world and by all other parts within. Now since all these influences combine at anyone time haphazardly, why are not the results themselves haphazard? Actually, of course, no such thing happens, for local processes are not arbitrary but evince, rather, a clearly defined organization relative to the needs and conditions of the organism as a whole. Indeed this co-operation resembles much more a state of "mutual agreement" than of mutual independence among the parts, and the result is not a jumble of independent processes but an ordered and meaningful activity of the whole organism. What are we to conclude from this? This problem, well known as the starting point of vitalism, is an urgent problem of present day science. (The complete version of this article appeared as "Gestaltprobleme und Anfänge einer Gestalttheorie," Jahresbericht ü. d. ges. Physiol., 1922, 3, 512-539.) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Published: Aug 13, 2007
Keywords: Gestalt theory; Gestalt problems; physiology