Origin of the Gestalt Theory

Gestalt was founded by Max Wertheimer and it could be recognized as a revolt against Structuralism which was the most common psychological view of the 1880 and 1910. However the idea of Gestalt had its roots in theories by Christian von Ehrenfels, and Ernst Mach. Christian von Ehrenfels was the actual originator of the term “Gestalt” and in 1890 he wrote a book called “On Gestalt Qualities”. Ernst Mach introduced the concept of space forms and time forms. When we look at a square we see a square whether it is larger or smaller or in different colours.

The gestalt theory began in 1910 when Wertheimer had the idea of our minds seeing things as a whole when he saw flashing lights at the railroad crossing. Wertheimer then started to experiment when he cut out shapes and made small adjustments until they had the effect of an optical illusion.

Wertheimer used a special projector called the tachistoscope to make special shapes and objects. Wertheimer’s first subjects were his two assistants, Wolfgang Kohler and Kurt Koffka. After a year of research Wertheimer shared his results with his two assistants and they published a paper called “Experimental Studies of the Perception of Movement”.

Wertheimer and Kohler established a graduate program in the abandoned Imperial Palace and began a research journal called “Psychological Investigation”. This involved students using other students as their subjects while carrying out their experiments.

In 1933, he moved to the United States of America and taught at the New School of Social Research in New York City. The following year he wrote his best book “Productive Thinking” which was published by his son William Wertheimer.