QUESTION
(by Joel F.):Hi , I am currently working on a research assignment which requires me to do
a critical analysis on Max Wertheimer, or more specifically, Gestalt theory in general.
Thanks in advance for giving me some advice on literature on this subject (and their
applicable sources).
ANSWER
(by Gerhard Stemberger):As far as I know there is only one book of Max WERTHEIMER still available in
bookstores in English: Productive thinking (Enlarged Edition, Edited
by Michael Wertheimer, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 1982, ISBN 0-226-89376-6,
paperback). As this is one of the most important and inspiring books of Max WERTHEIMER
I would strongly recommend it.
Michael WERTHEIMER, the son of Max WERTHEIMER, has published several
valuable articles on the work and life of his father. Here are references of
two of them:
"Gestalt theory, holistic psychology and Max Wertheimer".
In: Zeitschrift f. Psychologie, 190 (1982), pp 125-140.
"Max Wertheimer, Gestalt Prophet". In: Gestalt
Theory, 2 (1980), pp 3-17.
In 1995 David J. MURRAY, Professor of Psychology at Queen's University,
Kingston, Canada, published a very interesting book: Gestalt Psychology and
the Cognitive Revolution (Harvester Wheatsheaf, New York - London - Toronto
1995, ISBN 0-7450-1186-1, paperback). He points out the topicality of Gestalt theorists'
ideas for modern cognitive science and argues that science needs to re-evaluate
many of Gestalt psychology's ignored insights. Important parts of his book are dedicated
to a critical discussion of Max WERTHEIMERs work.
|
And now released: Max Wertheimer & Gestalt Theory
New Brunswick (USA) and London (U.K.): Transaction Publishers, 2005 ISBN 0-7658-0258-9
|
Indispensable for a thorough and vivid understanding of Max WERTHEIMERs work
after his forced emigration to the USA are Edith and Abraham LUCHINS'
collections of WERTHEIMERs seminars at the New School: Wertheimer's Seminars
Revisited. There are several volumes, dedicated to specific areas (all
of them were published in the series: Psychology Department Reports, State University
of New York, Albany; publishing years are given below):
1) Wertheimer's Seminars Revisited: Problem Solving and Thinking. Vol. I-III
(1970)
2) Wertheimer's Seminars Revisited: Problems in perception. Vol. I-V (1972-1974)
3) Wertheimer's Seminars Revisited: Expression of personality and memory for
impressions (1978)
4) Wertheimer's Seminars Revisited: Impression and conceptions of personality
(1979)
5) Wertheimer's Seminars Revisited: Problems of psychology of character and personality
(1979)
6) Wertheimer's Seminars Revisited: Character, personality, and the social
order. Vol. I-III (1979-1980)
These volumes should be available via libraries. Used copies come up now and
then when you search the ABE-listings.
Last but not least I would recommend a look at the 'Links
to Gestalt Related Sources' page on this web-site of the GTA where you will
find several links to Wertheimer-related sites in the web.
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