Kurt Lewin applied Gestalt psychology and developed topological psychology, conceptualizing individuals as energy fields influenced by goals and environments. His research impacted organizational psychology, leadership studies, and prejudice.
Kurt Lewin applied Gestalt psychology with an emphasis on practical applications and topological psychology, viewing the person as an energy field with goals creating vectors. His research programs influenced industrial-organizational psychology, and he studied leadership and prejudice.
| Front | Kurt Lewin |
|---|---|
| Back | Training: studied under Stumpf but did not like Wundtian psych Accomplishments: Gestalt psych: had a applied focus (laborers, work spaces) Topological psychology: • inspired by physics - person is a complex energy field, has goals which create vectors that attract or repel (used non-quantitative geometry). Conflict arises when there are two opposing vectors. • Goals become more attractive with effort (i.e. pies at back of counter) • B=f(P,E) - “Lewin’s eggs (potatoes)” • Child behavior: no such thing as an “average child” – most study the totality of a child’s life using case study. Studied “environmental forces” in child dev & conducted detour studies (i.e. child has to move in opposite direction to get around barrier and obtain goal). Authoritarian vs democratic leadership on children. When frustrated, children dedifferentiate – regress to earlier stage. Applied research – “action research” = reflective team problem solving – democracy over autocracy - helped fix productivity goals – also used it in his own team. 4 major programs of research (major I/O concepts): 1. Group productivity & focus on goals 2. Communication & rumors 3. Social perception and interpersonal relations 4. Leadership training (T groups) Studied discrimination to combat prejudice (clerks of different races, housing projects), ways of handling a bigot (playlet), challenge college admissions quota system Criticisms of others: Taylor’s time-and-motion studies – argued work has life value Criticized by others: Boring – “defect of his jewishness” Systems: Gestalt |
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