What is gestalt and how to close it

What is gestalt

Gestalt is a whole that consists of many components, but at the same time it is more than the sum of the parts. To put it simply, a car is a gestalt, but a mountain of parts is not. The term gestalt itself can be translated from German as "figure", but in this context it is more correct to designate it as "integrity".

The concept lies at the heart of Gestalt psychology. It was popularized by German psychologists Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler and Kurt Koffka at the beginning of the last century. They tried to understand how the brain manages to adequately perceive a lot of chaotic data. For example, why do we define a melody in a different key as the same, and not as a set of sounds or another motive.

One of the first experiments of gestalt psychologists showed that two flashes of light, lit up at different points alternately, are perceived as one light that has passed from place to place. That is, you can see movement where there is none.

Later, the concept of Gestalt spread beyond perception processes. It has come to be used to explain how we make decisions, learn, and think. According to the ideas of gestalt psychologists, the brain "catches" certain images and forms integral pictures - gestalts. In doing so, our motives and expectations have a great influence.

How modern science relates to gestalt

The first gestalt psychologists only found some patterns in the work of the human brain, but did not explain their origin. However, neurophysiological observations helped to do this.

Since the 1950s, experiments have been carried out to study perception. Neurons have been discovered that respond to complex stimuli. For example, on the face in general, and not on signs such as the shape of the nose, eyes, and others.

Further research showed that we perceive the whole picture much earlier than we grasp its individual components. It is enough just for a moment to look at the image of the forest, and we will immediately say that there are trees in front of us, but we will not notice whether they are maples or oaks.

In the early 2000s, scientists discovered another principle of the brain - predictive coding. It turns out that our mind does not analyze all information from the outside at once. First, he "predicts" the possible course of events, relying primarily on experience, not new data. It works like this: the brain sends information from the higher neurons to the lower ones, and then correlates it with the data of the sense organs. This is done on the basis of past knowledge, that is, some holistic images or, in other words, gestalts.

So neurosciences indirectly confirmed the hypotheses of gestalt psychologists.

Why do you need to close gestalts

The research of gestalt psychologists is useful not only from a theoretical point of view, but also from a practical one.

It helps maintain mental health

Gestalt psychologists believe that a person's needs consistently replace each other when they are satisfied. These can be both natural needs such as thirst or hunger, and aspirations, dreams, plans for life.

If these needs have not been met, they begin to disturb us, pulling the resources of the brain and body. Such needs have come to be called "open gestalts." They evoke feelings of unresolved anger, pain, anxiety, and other negative emotions.

It helps to get organized and get things done

Unclosed gestalts strongly influence all areas of our life. This demonstrates the effect discovered by the Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. The researcher noticed that the waiters remember the current orders well and almost immediately forget the fulfilled ones.

The Zeigarnik effect shows that unfinished business is deeply embedded in our memory. They haunt us, as the brain periodically reproduces them. Therefore, it is important not to delay the resolution of the issues that concern you. Unclosed gestalts not only harm the psyche, but also distract from other things.

It calms us down and gives us a sense of control over the situation

According to predictive coding theory, the ultimate goal of the brain is to predict a situation as accurately as possible. The correct guess is supported by a dose of dopamine. Remember what ecstasy you feel when you say: "I knew it!".

A problem solved in time brings a feeling of satisfaction and a feeling that you did everything right, because the brain's prediction was confirmed.

How to close gestalts

For this, gestalt therapy was invented. Its task is to teach the patient to better understand himself. This practice borrows some elements of Gestalt psychology, but has no direct relation to it. In essence, this approach is more of a set of techniques and attitudes.

Gestalt therapists, together with the patient, find out what unfinished business worries him, and figure out how to close this gestalt. For example, they simulate situations. In particular, there is a technique when a person is asked to talk to himself.

Such therapy can help you become more confident, more productive, realize personal responsibility for your life, develop self-love, and get rid of the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Before contacting a gestalt therapist, it is worth making sure that he has a certificate. Another important indicator is adherence to professional ethics. The doctor should be tactful during the sessions, and you should feel comfortable and trust the specialist. If all the conditions are met, but the treatment does not bring the desired result, this type of psychological rehabilitation may not be suitable for you.