Field theory (psychology)

The psychological field theory going back to the Gestalt theory and was mainly by Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) further elaborated. The theory is that of an array of psychologically relevant forces ( vector forces ) shows the individual behavior. This behavior can be described by a mathematically reconstructed habitat, the environment. The environment of an individual is specifically structured according to its nature, personality and experience inventory.

Behavior or action is in accordance with the field theory always field action. This begins with the analysis of the situation. The situation is not understood in terms of their physical nature, but as it is experienced subjectively.

The field theory of Lewin 's social psychology oriented. Lewin has become with this theory at the same time the founder of the concept of group dynamics. Is also within a group he believed a field of forces that can be seen from the interactions between the individual group members. The American psychologist shape and Lewin staff Junius F. Brown has expanded the psychological field theory to a field theory of society before Lewin himself.

Lewin assumes that the behavior of V is a function of the person and the environment U P: , and P and U are mutually dependent variables in this formula.

Mathematically, the habitat is seen as a topological space, then a person is a subset of the space is, the carrier space of the psychological field is the interior of a bounded by a Jordan curve area.

Synonyms

Vector Psychology, Topological Psychology

Similar theories

• Immanuel Kant: Space as subjective form of intuition;
• Jakob von Uexküll and students: characteristics and their geographic distribution → Wirkmal ( environment);
• Thure von Uexküll: integration space as a space for the integration of physical and mental conditions, see Psychosomatics;
• Viktor von Weizsäcker: Gestaltkreis;