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SAGE Journal User Guide

Article 1: Blunden, A. (2011). Vygotsky’s idea of Gestalt and its origins. Theory & Psychology, 21, (4). 457-471.

[This article analyzes Vygotsky’s conceptualization of Gestalt and its role in his theory of proximal development. The focus is on the roots of Vygotsky’s conceptualization of Gestalt that can be traced to Goethe, Hegel, and Marx. ]

Questions to Consider:

1. Discuss what the word “Gestalt” means in German language. How may Gestalt’s meaning become different when the term is translated in other languages?
2. Discuss Hegel and Marx’s conceptualizations of Gestalt.  Identify similarities and differences between the two conceptualizations.
3. What is the “social situation of development” according to Vygotsky? Discuss why the “social situation of development” is considered to be a child’s predicament. How could this predicament be overcome according to Vygotsky?
4. Discuss Vygotsky’s conceptualization of Gestalt. What role does Gestalt play in the development of a child according to Vygotsky?

Article 2: Bitter, J. R. (2004). Two approaches to counseling a parent alone: Toward a Gestalt-Adlerian integration. The Family Journal, 12, (4). 358-367.

[This article presents a brief theory and practical examples of how Gestalt and Adlerian therapy could be applied to counseling a parent alone.  It focuses on how Gestalt and Adlerian therapies are integrated.]

Questions to Consider:

1. Identify and discuss the main characteristics of Gestalt therapy.
2. Identity and discuss the main characteristics of Adlerian therapy.
3. How are Gestalt and Adlerian therapies different? How they are alike?
4. What insights can be gained from the transcriptions of Gestalt and Adlerian therapy sessions presented in the article?