Lecture 5: Gestalt Effect and Schema Theories.

Tutorial Question: Name the three laws of Gestalt Theory and provide examples to illustrate you point.

The Gestalt Theory was introduced by Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffa, and Wolfgang Kohler also known as the 'Big Three.' Wertheimer (1900) defined the gestalt theory as an outcome of concrete scientific investigation in psychology, logic and epistemology of the human nature and the human capability to engage and construct visual images. The word gestalt was a psychological term that is defined as "unified whole," with that Wertheimer's hypothesis was to determine the explanation as to why a station image is able to "produce unity." (King, Wetheimer, 2009) 

The phenomena of "unity" also known as apparent motion was developed from Wertheimer's self experience where he states that he noticed the more distant the telegraph poles, houses and hilltops along the route seems to be speeding along with the train. (Hunt, 2007) Wertheimer became interested in these movements of stationed objects that he formed a theory called the Phi Phenomenon. This phenomenon was an experiment to show how a stationed image or object is able to move due to speed, each image is a different movement and when spun it will show the movements like seen in real life or television.  

The Gestalt Theory also has its laws which is known as the Principles of Perception Organization,  to explain the Gestalt Effect. The Gestalt Effect is when the human eyes naturally groups objects together, the three laws of the Gestalt Effect are Closure, Proximity, and Similarity.

The law of closure is when an incomplete image, in this case dots has enough space to shape an image. Lines are not needed to complete the image as the mind is able to identify the incomplete image. 

The law of Proximity is when the proximity of the object shows an image, in this case the flower petals, leaves, and butterfly is in the proximity to show an image of a face.

And lastly, the law of Similarity is when the individuals often perceive an image as a group or pattern. The example above shows two images: a rectangle formed by square shapes and a triangle in the middle formed by squares. This law explains how the mind automatically grasps what the similarities of shape combine to shape another image.


References:

Hunt, M. M (2007) The Story of Psychology.

King, D., Wertheimer, M., (2009) Max Wertheimer and Gestalt Theory. USA

Wertheimer, M. (1900) Gestalt Theory: The Originals. Hayes, Barton.