Chapter 7. The Gestalt Brain
The Dynamics of the Sensory Field
Published Online: 17 DEC 2009
DOI: 10.1002/9781444317275.ch7
Copyright © 2010 Harry Francis Mallgrave
Book Title
The Architect's Brain: Neuroscience, Creativity, and Architecture
Additional Information
How to Cite
Mallgrave, H. F. (2009) The Gestalt Brain, in The Architect's Brain: Neuroscience, Creativity, and Architecture, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781444317275.ch7
Publication History
- Published Online: 17 DEC 2009
- Published Print: 8 JAN 2010
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9781405195850
Online ISBN: 9781444317275
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- Gestalt brain - dynamics of the sensory field;
- aesthetic speculations of Robert Vischer, Wölfflin, and Göller - burst of activity in physiology and psychology;
- Wundt's “atomic” approach - breaking experience down into discrete sensory elements or facts;
- Stumpf, Über den psychologischen Ursprung der Raumvorstellung (On the Psychological Origin of Spatial Imagination);
- Wertheimer, Koffka, and Köhler - realm of “Gestalt” psychology, dominant psychological schools of twentieth century;
- Gestalt concept of Prägnanz - literally “pregnant with meaning”;
- most basic principle of Gestalt psychology - brain imposing a “psychological organization” on phenomena of experience;
- Koffka's Principles of Gestalt Psychology;
- notion of isomorphism - direct correlation between perceptual event and cortical or neurological activities of brain;
- Arnheim and rise of Gestalt aesthetics
Summary
This chapter contains sections titled:
Wertheimer, Koffka, and Köhler
Isomorphism
Arnheim and the Rise of Gestalt Aesthetics