Final answer:
The statement is false; Gestalt therapy focuses on present experiences rather than attributing feelings to past events like resentment. This therapy contrasts with Freud's theory, which emphasizes unconscious repressed memories. Gestalt therapy seeks self-awareness and present-centeredness for healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the founder of Gestalt therapy contends that a frequent source of unfinished business is resentment is false. Gestalt therapy, which emerged from Gestalt psychology, places emphasis on personal responsibility, and the approach encourages individuals to focus on the present moment and the context of their experiences rather than attributing their current feelings to past events. Resentment or unfinished business may indeed be discussed in therapy, but it is not singled out as a primary source. In Gestalt therapy, the therapist and client work together to become aware of how the client interacts with their environment and to integrate their thoughts, feelings, and actions to move towards self-awareness and resolution of their concerns.
The work of Gestalt therapy is often contrasted with the theories of Sigmund Freud, who believed that the unconscious mind holds repressed memories that can cause inner conflict, resulting in symptoms like dreams or verbal slips. Gestalt therapy, instead, focuses on a person's present experience and the idea of the individual as a whole, not just the sum of parts. This principle is rooted in the Gestalt psychology belief that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The goal is to foster self-awareness and present-centeredness, which allows for healing and growth.