Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt ``shape, form''

Gestalt psychology: the mind considers objects in their entirety before, or in parallel with, perception of their individual parts.

$\fbox{\parbox{5.5in}{ \lq\lq The whole is other than the sum of its parts''. }}$

Gestalt psychologists sought to understand the perception of whole forms rather than just a collection of simpler elements (points, lines, curves, etc.)

Max Wertheimer, principal founder of Gestalt psychology, formulated Gestalt principles of grouping which are used by the brain when parsing sensory input into objects in the world.

``Music 175: Cognitive Psychology and Music'' by Tamara Smyth, Department of Music, University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

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