Wolfgang Köhler

The chimpanzee, like man, is capable of insight.

A problem is not solved until it is understood.

The whole is different from the sum of its parts.

Insight is not a matter of trial and error, but of sudden apprehension of the solution.

The organism reacts to the total situation, not to isolated stimuli.

Learning is not merely a matter of association, but of understanding relationships.

The perception of form is a primary and fundamental process.

The world as we perceive it is not a mosaic of sensations, but a structured whole.

The solution to a problem often appears suddenly, as a flash of insight.

The behavior of an organism is determined by the field of forces acting upon it.

The mind is not a passive receiver of stimuli, but an active organizer of experience.

The chimpanzee's behavior is often characterized by a remarkable degree of foresight.

The perception of meaning is an inherent aspect of human experience.

The Gestalt approach emphasizes the importance of context in understanding psychological phenomena.

The problem-solving behavior of apes demonstrates a capacity for genuine intelligence.

The brain is not a collection of isolated parts, but a dynamic, integrated system.

The experience of 'aha!' is a hallmark of insightful learning.

The principles of Gestalt apply not only to perception, but to all aspects of mental life.

The study of animal intelligence can shed light on the nature of human cognition.

The structure of experience is not imposed from without, but arises from within.