Question

Why did Fritz Perls adopt the term Gestaltto name the therapy originated by him?

a. Fritz Perls used the term Gestalt to signify his interest in giving the conflicting parts of the personality an integrated form or shape.
b. Fritz Perls used the term Gestalt to signify his interest in a spiritual way of cleansing a person's mind of psychological inhibitions.
c. Fritz Perls used the term Gestalt to distinguish his method of therapy from the approaches used in client- centered therapy.
d. Fritz Perls used the term Gestalt to convey the directive approach of his therapy.

Answer 1

Fritz Perls adopted the term Gestalt (option a) to signify his interest in giving the conflicting parts of the personality an integrated form or shape. The term Gestalt, derived from German, refers to a concept of "wholeness" or "complete form," reflecting the emphasis in Gestalt therapy on integrating various aspects of an individual's experience into a cohesive and unified whole.

Fritz Perls chose the term Gestalt for the therapy he originated to encapsulate its fundamental principle of wholeness and integration. Gestalt, a German word meaning "shape" or "form," aligns with Perls' focus on bringing conflicting elements within an individual's personality into a unified and cohesive whole. In Gestalt therapy, the emphasis lies in exploring and integrating the present moment and the totality of one's experiences. It is not merely a collection of isolated parts but an interconnected and holistic approach to understanding and addressing psychological challenges. By adopting the term Gestalt, Perls aimed to convey the essence of his therapeutic approach, emphasizing the importance of completeness and unity in the exploration and resolution of psychological issues.