Cognitive theory Insight learning –Gestalt School

Cognitive theory Insight learning - Gestalt School

1. Cognitive theory -Insight learning –Gestalt school Suresh Babu G Assistant Professor CTE CPAS Paippad , Kottayam

2. Other name - Learning by Perceptual Organization Gestalt Theory of Insightful Learning Gestalt Theory  (Wertheimer) along with Kohler and Koffka , Max Wertheimer was one of the principal proponents of Gestalt theory which emphasized higher-order cognitive processes in the midst of behaviorism . The term Gestalt means “an organized whole in contrast to a collection of parts” . Gestalt psychologists consider the process of learning as a Gestalt an organized whole or study in totality .

3. Insightful learning  is also known as  Gestalt learning  which means that learning is concerned with the whole individual and arises from the interaction of an individual with his situations or environment . Through this interaction emerge new forms of perception, imagination and ideas which altogether constitute insight.

4. Insight learning Insight learning  is a type of learning or problem solving that happens all-of-a-sudden through understanding the relationships of various parts of a problem rather than through trial and error. Kohler   called this cognitive process  insight learning .  Insight learning  does not rely on behavioral or observational learning; it is a purely cognitive experience.  Kohler's  theory of insight learning helped provide some early evidence to support the role of cognition in learning.

5. Basic Concepts of Insight Learning Learning is purposive, exploratory and creative enterprise, in which the total situation is taken into account by the learner. A learning situation is a problem situation and the learner can deduce the solution by insight if he perceives the situation as a whole. By taking the situation as whole a learner can take proper decision in an intelligent way.

6. While learning, the leaner always responds to the proper relationship rather than specific stimuli. Learning occurs spontaneously and suddenly by the development of insight.

7. Kohler’s Experement (1945) Kohler experimented with Sultan the chimp who was caged with food strategically placed outside the cage. Some boxes and sticks where placed in the cage. Through some manipulation of these objects which got sultan nowhere, he seemed to suddenly figure out that the sticks could be joined to get the food. He use insight to solve the problems.

8. Criteria of Insightful Learning Insight development is generally facilitated by previous experience with similar problem. Insight also involves little bit of trial and error behaviour . Insight formation is closely related to the intellectual development of the learner. The higher the intellectual level of the learner, the quicker will be occurrence of insight. Insight learning involves understanding and reasoning about the problem.

9. Identifying the problem Understanding The problem Incubation of ideas Trial of mode of response Sustained attention Insight development Steady repetition of adaptive behaviour Comprehension of ability Steps in Insight Learning

10. Characteristics of Insight Learning Survey of problematic situation Hesitation, pause, attitude of concentrated attention to the problematic situation Trail of mode of response In case i nitial mode of response proves inadequate, trial of some other response, the transition from one method to the other being sharp and often sudden.

11. Frequently recurrent attention to the objectives or goal and motivation. Appearance of critical point at which the organism suddenly, directly and definitely performs the required act. Steady repetition of adaptive response. Notable ability to discover and attend to the essential aspect or relation in the problematic situation and to neglect relatively, variations in non-essentials. Characteristics of Insight Learning

12. Factors of Insight learning Intelligence Learning situation Initial efforts Repetition Generalization

13. Principles of Gestalt Psychology Figure-ground : Every thing we perceive stands against a background. Eg . We listen a song against the background of music. Principle of Pragnanz : Our perceptual patterns always tends to be simple, regular and complete with no loose ends. It is related of law of closure. Law of transposition : extensive changes without losing their identity. Law of similarity Law of Proximity

14. Gestalt Law of Learning According to Gestalt theory, learning takes place when the learner organizes the separate parts (stimuli) of the perceptual field into a unified and meaningful whole. The organization of the stimuli in the perceptual field takes place in accordance with four law :- Law of Similarity Law of Proximity Law of Closure Law of Continuity

15. Educational Implication The teacher should present the subject matter as a whole to facilitate insight learning. Use of blind fumbling and mechanical trail and error should be minimized. While planning curriculum a particular subject should not be treated as the mere collection of isolated facts , should be closely integrated into a whole. Teacher should motivate the child by arousing his interest and curiosity

16. The learner must be given opportunities for using his mental abilities. Learner task must be properly graded according to the intellectual development of the leaner. In order to develop the ability of problem solving by insight, meaningful learning, learning by understanding and reasoning must be encouraged in school. The teacher must help learners to recall what has been learned earlier, relate them to the new learning Give goal oriented task to learner Knowledge as a continuous organization, encourage the need of knowledge and freedom for acquiring knowledge. Educational Implication

17. Difference Between Trail and Error and Insight learning Trail and Error learning Learning as a matter of connection between a stimulus and a response Recognizes practice as the basis of learning. Give importance to one’s past experience Learning under reinforcement is key concept Parts are fundamental Insight learning Learning as the organization of experience into cognitive structure. Recognizes an individual’s insight as the basis of learning. Past experience is not necessary Perception is key concept Whole is primary

18. Trail and Error learning Trail and error learning is practice and interest Emphasis on trial and error, drill and reinforcement It is best for reaction type learning and habit formation Insight learning Insight learning is intelligence Emphasis on understanding and insight It is most suited for concept learning and problem solving Difference Between Trail and Error and Insight learning

19. Whole is good