Wolfgang Kohler and Gestalt Psychology

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes Wolfgang Kohler's views on Gestalt psychology. It specifically focuses on Wolfgang Kohler's 1959 address entitled "Gestalt Psychology Today." The paper shows the importance of creative and speculative thought in the initiation of new paradigms and concepts, as well as in new views about reality and psychology. It briefly overviews Gestalt theory to stress the underlying importance and the motivational roots of experimental and adventurous thinking that lay beneath the discovery of Gestalt, as well as in other innovative scientific and psychological discoveries.

From the Paper:

"Following from this, Kohler is critical of some aspects and tendencies in modern psychology. Central to his critique is the fact that too much attention is being given to formal and scientific caution and an over-emphasis on verification instead of innovation. He states that, "First, I doubt whether it is advisable to regard caution and a critical spirit as the virtues of a scientist, as though little else counted." While critical caution has its place, Kohler point is that it should not supersede or retard the type of creative and innovative thought that led to the discovery of Gestalt psychology. This criticism is aimed mainly at contemporary psychology which Kohler states is at times overly concerned with formal procedure and "scorns" new ideas. This attitude, he says, has the disadvantage of creating skepticism and reducing the possibility of innovative thought. In summation, the author argues on the basis of the history of Gestalt psychology for a return to a more open, innovative and creative approach to psychology that should not be hampered by too great an emphasis on formal scientific caution."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kohler W. Gestalt Psychology Today. 1959. June 5, 2007. <http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/kohler.html>

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