Learning Principles

Module 2

Seeing is believing . . . . basic ideas

• Set against the historical backdrop of conditioning theories and early behaviorism, the Gestalt movement began to develop in Europe and ultimately exerted a strong influence over many aspects of psychology and learning.

  Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler and Kurt Koffka are among the best known Gestalt theorists.

  Wertheimer it is said, began his studies that would lead to the foundations of Gestalt theory after observing flashing light on a train. He bought a small tachistoscope and began experimenting in his hotel.

  While you may not have experience with a tachistoscope --- stop by my office and you can play with my zoetrope --- its is similar in its ability to fool the human eye!

  What follow are some basic ideas of Gestalt psychology.

  

  Perception may be different from reality!

  Wertheimer's toy tachistoscope verified for him that sometimes what we see, is not what exists.

  In the case of this toy, he found that when two lights flashed on and off at a particular rate, they appear to be a single light moving! This is referred to as the phi phenomenon.

  Before going on, think about an example in your life where what you see is not what really exists.

  

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