Theory of

Architecture 1

GESTALT
Psychology
(Or: how I stopped worrying
and learned the basics of
Visual Perception)

October 10, 2019

What is :
Gestalt Psychology
• Gestalt
• A unified configuration, pattern, or
field of specific properties that cannot
be derived from the summation of the
component parts (Ching, 2015)
• Gestalt + Psychology
• The theory or doctrine that physiological or
psychological phenomena occur through
gestalts functioning separately or
interrelatedly, not the summation of
individual elements as reflexes or
sensations. (Ching, 2015)
Gestalt
2
Psychology
 “ The whole is other
than the sum of the
parts”
- Kurt Koffka, German Gestalt
Psychologist, 1920s

Gestalt
3
Psychology
 A B

C D

Gestalt
4
Psychology
Key Ideas :
Gestalt Psychology
• Emergence ( The Whole is
Identified Before the Parts )
• Reification ( Our Mind Fills In the
Gap)
• Multi-stability ( The Mind Seeks To
Avoid Uncertainty )
• Invariance ( We’re Good at
Recognizing Similarities and
Differences)
Gestalt
5
Psychology
Seven Principles
Of Gestalt Psychology
 1.Figure /
Ground Principle
• states that people instinctively
perceive objects as either being
in the foreground or the
background.
• They either stand out
prominently in the front (the
figure) or recede into the back
(the ground).
Gestalt
7
Psychology
 A B

Gestalt
8
Psychology
II. Similarity
Principle

• states that when things

appear to be similar to each
other, we group them
together.
• We also tend to think they
have the same function.

Gestalt
9
Psychology
 A B

Gestalt
10
Psychology
III.
Proximity
Principle

• states that things that

are close together
appear to be more
related than things that
are spaced farther
apart.
• Proximity is so powerful
that it overrides
similarity of color,
shape, and other factors
that might differentiate
Gestalt
Psychology
 A

Gestalt
12
Psychology
IV. Common
Region
Principle
• states that when objects are
located within the same
closed region, we perceive
them as being grouped
together.
• Adding borders or other
visible barriers is a great way
to create a perceived
separation between groups
of objects—even if they have
the same proximity, shape,
color, etc.
Gestalt
• highly
Psychologyrelated to proximity.
 A

Gestalt
14
Psychology
V. Continuity
Principle

• states that elements that are

arranged on a line or curve are
perceived to be more related than
elements not on the line or curve.
• your eye naturally follows a line or
a curve, making continuation a
stronger signal of relatedness than
the similarity of color.

Gestalt
15
Psychology
 A

Gestalt
16
Psychology
 V1. Closure
Principle

• states that when we look at a

complex arrangement of visual
elements, we tend to look for a
single, recognizable pattern.
• Your mind fills in the missing
information to create a recognizable
pattern based on your experience.

Gestalt
17
Psychology
A B

C D

Gestalt
18
Psychology
VII. Focal
Point
Principle

• states that whatever

stands out visually will
capture and hold the
viewer’s attention first.

Gestalt
19
Psychology
 A

Gestalt
20
Psychology
Importance
Of Gestalt Psychology Principles
Great architects understand
the powerful role that
psychology plays in visual
perception.
• They’ll help you determine which
design elements are most effective
in a given situation.
• These psychological principles hold
power to influence our visual
perception, which allows designers
to direct our attention to specific
points of focus, get us to take
specific actions, and create
behavioral change.
• And finally, at the highest level, the
Gestalt principles help you design
structures that solve the client’s
problem or needs in a way that’s
beautiful,
Gestalt pleasing, and intuitive to
Psychology
use.
THANK YOU!
Abana, Ivan Miguel

Acoba, Jhon Kevin

Apacible, Paolo Miguel

Arcega, Rey Edward

Balcita, Yvonne

AR B51