Summary
Highlights
Gestalt theory is an integrated approach that seeks to unite all aspects of a person, enabling them to experience themselves as a unitary organism. This holistic view posits that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, emphasizing that humans are whole beings and functioning units. Psychological distress is often attributed to a 'split self', and Gestalt theory integrates bodily orientation with psychological functioning, bringing together the soma (body) and psyche (mind).
An individual possesses various aspects including mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual. Achieving harmony and balance among these aspects is crucial for good self-esteem and self-actualization. This pursuit of balance is referred to as wholeness, a lifelong endeavor.
In the late 19th century, German psychologists developed Gestalt theory, a new scientific and holistic approach. Founders Wolfgang Köhler, Max Wertheimer, and Kurt Koffka explained that 'Gestalt' means both pattern and organized whole. This psychology views concepts like perception, learning, and cognition as whole entities rather than separate parts.