Gestalt and Behavior Theories - Research Paper Example

Gestalt and Behavior Theories Gestalt Theory The Gestalt theory is based on the perception that the whole is greater than the individual components. It proposes that what is observed is what appears to an observer and not what may be there. The nature of what is seen is not through analysis of its part. The concept is based on now and how things are perceived in two parts. It questions whether when making observations if things are visually perceived on the front or the background (Christine, 2012).The mind visualizes objects collectively by reorganizing visual information into a single whole in an effort to provide meaning and understanding of the chaotic world. Once an object is observed the brain synthesizes and generates whole forms emanating from groups of lines, points curves and shapes. The brain filters, structure and matches information it receives against known patterns in a bid to make sense of it (Delisle & Dandeneau, 2013). The principles of Gestalt theory The six principle of Gestalt theory are similarity, closure, continuity, proximity, symmetry and figure and background. In reference to similarity visual features such as shape, color or size that have similar look or outlook are perceive as a unit in the observers mind. Secondly, proximity principle dictates that objects close to one another are perceived as a group even if they are of different shapes, sizes. They must be close enough to be unified. Moreover, they form something the eye can understand. Thirdly, continuation happens when the eye move from one object to the next (Christine, 2012). Observers tend to continue shape even after reaching their end points. The edge of a shape continues in space until it meets the other shape as well as the edge of the shape. Fourth principle is closure. In closure, we tend to fill in the blank details even if the information on these details is missing. People are able to completely see an object even if spaces are missing. As for symmetry, it compels people to think of halves and parts. Objects aligning in perfect symmetry are perceived as a unit element. Finally, the principles of figure and ground, illuminates that the part of the image that is more visible and whether the object lies either in the background or foreground determine the figure. When there is a balance between the figure and the ground then the person viewing the object develops a sense of understanding of the observation (Philippson, 2012). Gestalt therapy It is a form of existential or experimental psychotherapy that reiterates on personal responsibility. It focuses on individual current (present) experience, the therapist and client relationship, social and environment aspects of an individual’s life. The therapy stresses on awareness and integration. The integration entails the functioning of the body and mind. In addition, it factors changes people make out of situations. They theory of personality vindicates that people exist by differentiating their self form from other forms and through connecting oneself and others (Philippson, 2012).This is due to the existence of boundaries of self and the environment. In this therapy the first goal is the client being aware of the current experience. The theory rest on the following four methods: Phenomenological, dialogical relationship, field theory and experiment. For instant, in field theory, client is a participant as the environment contains the therapist, client and what goes on between the two. The past feelings are not expressed in this kind of therapy. Through contact individuals are encouraged to interact with the environment as well as other persons while maintaining individuality. However clients tent to create boundaries that become stumbling blocks into experiencing the present. These boundaries are introjections, projection, deflection, confluence and retroflection. Introjections arise when individuals consume other peoples beliefs without analysis if those convictions commensurate with their individuality. As for projection, an individual discovers some aspects by assigning these aspects to the environment. However, retroflection entails the reflection of doing thing to other people in ways we would like other people to do them to us while deflection encompasses withdrawing in manner that makes it difficult to sustain a sense of contact (Brownell, 2010). The component of the therapy are continuum of experience, the experiment, the present (here and now), authentic encounter, paradoxical theory of change, and oriented diagnosis. The principles of the therapy are holism, field theory, figure formation process and organismic self regulation. Holism involves how the client makes contact with the environment and integrates. However, in field theory, the organism must be in its environment and attention is paid to the happenings at the boundary between the individual and the environment. Figure formation process illuminates how the person organizes experience from one movement to the other while organismic self-regulation entails disturbance of the equilibrium due to the emergence of a situation (Brownell, 2010). Therapeutic techniques Through the experiment, the therapist gets to know more about the client through interaction in the here and now. The following are the interventions in the technique: the internal dialogue exercise, rounds making, rehearsal exercise, the exaggeration exercise, staying with the feeling, and dream interpretation. The limitations of Gestalt therapy Without training this technique can result into power abuse by the therapist. In addition, the therapy is not ideal or is less effective to people with challenges of imagination. The other limitation is that some clients find it difficult to self discloser (Philippson, 2012). Behavior theory The theory emphasizes on undesirable behavior. The goals of the treatment are well specified through creation of planned treatments and the outcomes of the therapy are evaluated. The principle of learning is highly valued and normal behavior is enforced through imitation while abnormal behavior is associated with faults in learning. Behavior in this context refers to overt actions and internal processes such as cognitions, beliefs, images and emotions. The functional behavior model is A-B-C where A denotes antecedents, B denotes behavior and C denotes consequence (Christine, 2012). Philosophy of the theory The basic philosophy of the theory validates that behavior is a consequence of what one has learnt. Furthermore, individuals dictate their environment and traditional characters depends on classical and operant conditioning (Simons, McLeroy & Wendel, 2012). Processes of the therapy In this process, goals are vital and are aimed at not only increasing individual options but also creating new learning conditions. At the onset the therapist aids the client to define treatment goals such that as the therapy progresses, it can be determined if the goals that were identified are being met (DiClemente, Salazar & Crosby, 2013). Therapeutic Techniques The numerous techniques employed are positive and negative strengthening, positive and negative discipline, extinction, relaxation of the muscles, systematic desensitization, exposure technique, movement of the eye in a desensitized manner and reprocessing, training of social skills, self management of programs and self oriented behavior, and mind and acceptance therapy based . In relaxation training technique, relaxation of the muscle technique is a method employed to help clients cope with daily stressful activities. On the other hand, systematic desensitization method is used for treatment of anxiety related disorder especially phobia (Christine, 2012).As for social skills the clients acquire skills related to interpersonal competences while assertive training encompasses teaching individuals or clients to be assertive in different situations. Assertive training, furthermore, focuses on the negative perceptions of the client with the aim of elimination these negative vindications. Its goal is to increase ones repertoire. This enables them to weigh situations that require assertiveness (DiClemente, Salazar & Crosby, 2013). Limitations of behavior therapy One of the limitations is that the focus on behavior change is too much that the client may be distracted from feeling his or her emotions. In addition, the therapy lays little emphasis on insight as well as the client and therapist relation is vaguely emphasized. The therapy also focuses on symptoms thus neglecting the underlying causes of behavior. Furthermore the therapist can easily manipulate the client. Besides, it entails giving directions which some client may perceive to be imposing (DiClemente, Salazar & Crosby, 2013). References Delisle, G., & Dandeneau, M. (2013). Object relations in Gestalt therapy. London: Karnac. Philippson, P. (2012). Gestalt therapy: Roots and branches : collected papers. London: Karnac. Brownell, P. (2010). Gestalt therapy: A guide to contemporary practice. New York: Springer. Simons-Morton, B. G., McLeroy, K. R., & Wendel, M. L. (2012). Behavior theory in health promotion practice and research. Sudbury, Mass: Jones & Bartlett Learning. DiClemente, R. J., Salazar, L. F., & Crosby, R. A. (2013). Health behavior theory for public health: Principles, foundations, and applications. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Christine, H. (2012). Gestalt Therapy and Behavior. 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