ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the roots of Gestalt psychology and presents the work of some of the more prominent early Gestalt theorists and the influence of that work on psychology as a whole. It describes the concepts of elementism, phenomenology, Gestaltqualitaten, space form/time form. The chapter discusses the significance of Max Wertheimer’s research on phi phenomenon. It also discusses the different roles played by Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler in the early development of Gestalt psychology. Historians have debated the relative importance of the Zeitgeist as opposed to the Great Person as the cause of significant events in history. This debate is particularly relevant to the history of Gestalt psychology. Philosopher Edmund Husserl also played a role in laying the groundwork for Gestalt psychology. Gestalt psychology has managed to influence a broad selection of areas within psychology including perception, learning, cognitive psychology, personality, social psychology, and motivation.