Understanding Gestalt

Psychology
Gestalt psychology is a school of thought that explores how our mind
perceives and organizes sensory information. In this presentation, we
will delve into the six approaches of gestalt psychology and their
applications.

Presented by Srijan and Bibek

Key Figures and their Contributions
1 Max Wertheimer 🧠 2 Wolfgang Köhler 🐒
Investigated the phi phenomenon Conducted research on problem-
and visual perception. solving in apes, highlighting insight.

3 Kurt Koffka 👀
Explored the principles of
perception and emphasized holistic
thinking.
Law of Pragnanz (Law of Figure-Ground)
The Law of Pragnanz states that our mind naturally organizes visual stimuli into the simplest and
most meaningful form, separating the figure from the background. This principle is widely used in
advertising and logo design.
Law of Similarity
The Law of Similarity suggests that we perceive objects that share
similar attributes, such as shape, size, color, or texture, as belonging
to the same group. This principle influences how we organize visual
information and spot patterns.
Law of Proximity
The Law of Proximity states that objects that are close together in
space are perceived as related and grouped together. This principle
plays a crucial role in designing interfaces, arranging elements based
on their proximity to convey relationships and hierarchy.
Law of Closure
The Law of Closure describes our tendency to mentally complete
incomplete figures or patterns based on limited information. This
principle is often utilized in logo design to create memorable and
visually appealing shapes.
Law of Continuity
The Law of Continuity suggests that our mind naturally perceives continuous lines or curves as
belonging to a single object. This principle is essential in graphic design, where it helps create
smooth flow and guide the viewer's gaze.
Law of Common Fate
The Law of Common Fate states that objects that move together or in
the same direction are perceived as part of a group. This principle
comes into play in fields like animation and user interface design,
where movement influences perception and interaction.
Applying Gestalt Psychology
Advertising User Experience Design

By leveraging gestalt principles, advertisers Gestalt psychology provides UX designers

can create memorable and visually with valuable insights into how users
impactful campaigns that resonate with perceive and interact with digital interfaces,
their target audience. leading to more intuitive and engaging
experiences.

Visual Arts Education

Artists incorporate gestalt principles to Gestalt psychology offers educators

guide the viewer's attention, create visual strategies to enhance learning by
rhythm, and convey powerful messages presenting information in a visually
through their work. organized and meaningful way.
Critiques and Limitations
1 Criticisms of the gestalt principles

Some argue that gestalt principles oversimplify visual

perception and fail to account for cultural and individual
differences in perception.

2 Limitations of gestalt psychology

Gestalt psychology focuses primarily on visual perception and

may not account for the complexity of other cognitive
processes involved in perception and understanding.
Conclusion and Future
Directions
Gestalt psychology has significantly contributed to our understanding
of perception, influencing various fields such as design, advertising,
and education. As research continues, further exploration of cognitive
processes can deepen our knowledge of how we interpret and make
sense of the world around us.