Max Wertheimer's 1922 paper, " Untersuchungen zur Lehre von der Gestalt," begins with a critical examination of the prevailing scientific psychology's foundational assumptions about the mind. He argues that these assumptions, while generally accepted and useful in specific contexts, are often too simplistic and fail to capture the complexity of human experience. Specifically, he criticizes the "mosaic theory" and the "association theory" of mental processes. The mosaic theory posits that complex mental states are composed of elementary elements, such as sensations, which are combined in a summative manner. The association theory suggests that the occurrence of one element often leads to the occurrence of another due to past experiences. Both theories are seen as过于简单 and fail to account for the structured and meaningful nature of mental processes. Wertheimer argues that these theories are inadequate because they do not adequately explain how complex mental structures arise from simpler elements. He emphasizes the importance of considering the holistic nature of mental processes, where the parts are not merely added together but are integrated in a way that reflects the underlying structure and function of the whole. He suggests that mental processes are more complex and meaningful than what can be explained by simple summation or association. He concludes by advocating for a more nuanced and structured approach to understanding mental processes, one that recognizes the inherent order and regularity in human experience. This approach, he argues, is more faithful to the actual complexity of mental life and is essential for advancing psychological theory and practice.Max Wertheimer's 1922 paper, " Untersuchungen zur Lehre von der Gestalt," begins with a critical examination of the prevailing scientific psychology's foundational assumptions about the mind. He argues that these assumptions, while generally accepted and useful in specific contexts, are often too simplistic and fail to capture the complexity of human experience. Specifically, he criticizes the "mosaic theory" and the "association theory" of mental processes. The mosaic theory posits that complex mental states are composed of elementary elements, such as sensations, which are combined in a summative manner. The association theory suggests that the occurrence of one element often leads to the occurrence of another due to past experiences. Both theories are seen as过于简单 and fail to account for the structured and meaningful nature of mental processes. Wertheimer argues that these theories are inadequate because they do not adequately explain how complex mental structures arise from simpler elements. He emphasizes the importance of considering the holistic nature of mental processes, where the parts are not merely added together but are integrated in a way that reflects the underlying structure and function of the whole. He suggests that mental processes are more complex and meaningful than what can be explained by simple summation or association. He concludes by advocating for a more nuanced and structured approach to understanding mental processes, one that recognizes the inherent order and regularity in human experience. This approach, he argues, is more faithful to the actual complexity of mental life and is essential for advancing psychological theory and practice.