Reflection on the Cognitive Perspective

As a student, it is also important to be aware on the different

theories in psychology. In the cognitive perspective, I chose to reflect
specifically on the Gestalt Psychology.

In gestalt psychology, there are gestalt principles which guide the

way we form our perception. First is the law of proximity. In my daily
activities and daily interaction with my friends and classmates, there are
times when I intend to make different things the same because of their
closeness. Just like with the people I know, sometimes because of their
closeness together and being together, I see them similar even actually
they are not. In real life issues, we always see couples and intend to see
them with similar faces. I believe that is because we see them very close
and always together.

With regard in the law of similarity, in school, I meet different

people. They are different in the sense that they have different physical
appearance. There are also people whom I met and sometimes I guess they
are sisters or brothers because of their own similarities. There are also
times when I am in school, and just because two girls wore clothes which
are in the same styles and fitting, I thought they are twins in that case.
Well, I guess it is just how I perceive them as part of being the same.

Moreover, the law of good pragnanz in the gestalt psychology barely

talk about simplicity. In life, we always say the lines, “Simplicity is
beauty”. I am also a believer of that. As experienced, I feel more
comfortable when I just wear simple clothes and apply no make-up, just
natural. Sometimes, in wearing cosmetics and make ups, I only end up being
conscious every minute, conscious if I still look good in my make-up.
Well, it does not make me comfortable.

Furthermore, it always happens that most of the time, we only see the
front view or the foreground without checking the background. Aside from
images, I can also relate this to a person. Many times I experience
judgments from people; well I just ignore them for the fact that it is
their nature to pay attention on my physical aspect without knowing my
background in the first place. Gestalt psychology has something to do with
it because according to the law of figure/ ground, we give attention and
perceive things in the foreground. This is also real and I believe that it
is inevitable.

To conclude, I really agree and believe in this theory because for

all I know, the laws of the gestalt psychology do not only experienced by
me but rather also happened to anybody. I believe we have different
perceptions and views but it would be always better not to be carried away
of what we see because sometimes or should I say most of the time, looks
can be deceiving.