Your Trainer Today: Karen Booth Gestalt Therapy – Weekend 3 FIELD THEORY AND HOLISM Copyright © HYPNOTHERAPY TRAINING AUSTRALIA 2014 This weekend we will be covering: • What is Field Theory? • The history of Field theory in physics • Field theory and Gestalt Psychology • Parlett’s Five Principles of Field Theory • Holism, homeostasis and organismic self-regulation What is Field Theory? Gestalt Therapy is based on Field Theory; was originally developed by Kurt Lewin integrated into the Gestalt framework. The field is representative of the ‘whole’ all the parts within it are interconnected with, and influenced by, each other. emphasis is placed on the relationships within the organismic/environmental field, as well as how the organism functions within that constellation. Lewin writes: “Whether or not a certain type of behavior occurs depends not on the presence or absence of one fact or of a number of facts viewed in isolation, but upon the constellation (the structure of forces) of the specific field as a whole. The meaning of the single fact depends upon its position in the field.” (Lewin, 1952, p.150) THE HISTORY OF FIELD THEORY IN PHYSICS Isaac Newton Born 1643 - English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton, most famous for his law of gravitation, was instrumental in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. In the classical Newtonian physics, there was a split between objects and separate forces which could act on the objects. Newton's classic mechanistic view – • Each object has a core essence • View that objects exist independently to each other • Observer exists outside of what they are observing • Observer has no influence on what he/she observes • There is no field/ Mind/body split Maxwell's/ Einstein's relative individualistic field • Phenomena no longer have an essence outside of their containing field • Observer is outside of what is being observed • Individualistic view • Observer has no influence on what is being observed • There is a field in operation The modern view on field physics was complete with the convergence of: Relativity Theory (RT) Quantum Mechanics (QM). • Observer affects the creation of what is being observed • There is no duality – Observer acts as a force of creation of what is being observed • Phenomena exists relative to each other • Phenomena’s essence is of the field • Observer/participator has direct influence on that which he observes • There is a field in operation • Each observers view of reality is unique Gestalt field theory begins with the whole and the co created field. Gestalt Field Theory • The field is being constantly co-created between my phenomenological view point and another’s phenomenological viewpoint • I no longer live in isolation as an individual, outside of others’ worlds, but can, and do, only exist in relation to another. • The self, in the system of processes constantly organises the field into figure/ground formations depending on the emerging needs. Characteristics of Fields Systematic web of relationships Continuous in space and time Everything is of a field Phenomena are determined by the whole field Unitary whole: everything affects everything else Configured between the relationship of the observer and the observed Principle of contemporaneity Everything is becoming Constructive Relativism (or co-constructed reality) Looking at “my” world, I have to include the influence of the other and vice- versa. The other stands as a co-constructing participator of my phenomena, and I stand as a co-constructing participator of their phenomena. Both participate in a co-constructed field and meet at the contact boundary, which Buber referred to as the “between”. Co-Created Field The co-created field is the mutual field of self and other(s); each bringing to the field it’s own unique qualities to form a whole. Everyone and everything impacts on the field It is how we are plugging into each other, what is being co- created as we relate to and inter-react with one another, what we are accessing in ourselves and each other. “When we meet there [at the contact boundary] I change and you change through the process of encountering each other.” (Perls) In Gestalt therapy we are interested in the organism/environment field, that is: A person forms an interactive whole with their environment A person cannot be understood outside of their relational field The organism organises the field Gestalt Psychology & Gestalt Therapy (extracted & adapted from Yontef 1988:ch 8) The basic method of Gestalt therapy can be linked directly to the Phenomenological Field Theory of Gestalt psychology: It is the exploration of ‘what is’ ‘here and now’ over expertise and pre-conceived ideas It is based on trusting immediate experiences continued.. It seeks insight into the functional interrelationships that form the intrinsic structure of the whole (field) of any situation being studied (Kohler, 1969). It understands human nature as organised into patterns or wholes. Phenomenology uses experimentation rather than interpretation. It is not that there are 'things' which contact other 'things', but that "It is the contact that is the simplest and first reality." Perls, Hefferline & Goodman [1994/1951] (PHG). PHG also state ‘it is always to such an interacting field that we are referring, and not to an isolated animal’. Gestalt therapy leans towards modern physics, where the observer effects the nature and identity of what is being observed. Earlier theorists who described field theory in psychology are considered to have shaped Gestalt therapy’s development. William James 1842 –1910 • Was the first to consider the concept of the field. • James, was known as the father of American psychology who was particularly skilful in his time to have considered that the field as a concept was relevant to psychology. • James challenged the idea that the classical Newtonian reality of separate parts was not sufficient to understand our reality, particularly in psychology. Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) was a famous, charismatic psychologist who is now viewed as the father of social psychology. Born in Germany, Lewin emigrated to the USA as a result of World War II. Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) was a famous, charismatic psychologist who is now viewed as the father of social psychology. Born in Germany, Lewin emigrated to the USA as a result of World War II. Lewin (!951) described Field theory as an epistemology (or theory of knowledge/school of thought/methodology) • He saw it as a way of understanding reality and not the reality itself. • Lewin was well known for his terms "life space" and "field theory". • He was also known for his theories in studying group dynamics, solving social problems related to prejudice, and group therapy. • In Lewin’s field (or 'matrix') approach, he believed that for change to take place, the total situation has to be taken into account. Jan Smuts 1870-1950 • Smuts (1926) provides significantly more detail than Lewin in outlining the scientific ground he uses to build his theory. • Smuts described electromagnetic, and biological fields and returns his work to connect with relativity and the beginnings of quantum physics. • Smuts uses a language of connection and holism which is strikingly similar to Perls, Hefferline & Goodman (PHG). Smuts – cont.. • With his work on holism Smuts synthesised the work of quantum theory and Gestalt therapy, even though it was well before Gestalt therapy was developed. • Smuts was credited with coining the term holism. • His view was more Ontological view insomuch as he held a metaphysical view of nature and existence. Sample life space at a moment in time pre-therapy Sample life space at a moment in time post-therapy Emoto’s Water Experiment: The Power of Thoughts Through the 1990′s, Dr. Masaru Emoto performed a series of experiments observing the physical effect of words, prayers, music and environment on the crystalline structure of water Water crystal prior to prayer Water crystal after prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E hlw- 9PJkIE&list=PLKeIBnUnhVAUHmrxwG- Yy9nwMyok2Brqi Oh and by the way, the average human body is 60% water. Ponder that one a while… Heart energetic field by Heart Math Institute Malcom Parlett simplifies Parlett’s 5 Field Theory into 5 principles: Principles of Field 1. The Principle of Organization: Theory Meaning derives from looking at the total situation, the totality of co- existing facts. Everything is interconnected and the meaning derives from the total situation. 2. The Principle of Contemporaneity: This means that the emphasis is on the past-as- remembered-now and the future-as-anticipated-now. To put it another way; how the past and future are experienced in the present situation – ‘what is’ rather than what was or what will be. 3. The Principle of Singularity: Each situation and each person within that situation is unique. Generalizations and assumptions are therefore obsolete for they detract from the concrete reality of ‘what is’. 4. The Principle of Changing Process: This refers to the ever changing field; “one never steps into the same river twice”. The field is constantly in flux therefore each moment can only be experienced once in the exact same way. 5. The Principle of Possible Relevance: This principle emphasizes the necessity to inquire about the ‘obvious’; to bring to the foreground the often ignored phenomenology of the client so that it may be explored further for it’s possible relevance in the therapeutic situation. Malcolm Parlett’s ‘Five Field Theory Principles’ Main Principles of Field Theory Extracted from Mackewn 1997 People cannot be understood in isolation but only as integral and interactive wholes with their socio-cultural background and ecological environment. The Field consists of all the interactive phenomena of individuals and their environment. • Human behaviour cannot be attributed to any one cause but arises from the interlocking forces of the field – a constellation of factors.