gestaltism

The theory in psychology that the objects of mind come as complete forms or configurations which cannot be split into parts; e.g., a square is perceived as such rather than as four discrete lines. [see gestalt]

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n.

a school of psychology that regards mental processes as wholes (gestalts) that cannot be broken down into constituent parts. From this was developed gestalt therapy, which aims at achieving a suitable gestalt within the patient that includes all facets of functioning.

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ge·stal·tism (gə-stawlґtiz-əm) (gə-shtawlґtiz-əm) [gestalt + -ism] a theory in psychology that claims that objects of the mind, as immediately presented to direct experience, come as complete, unanalyzable wholes or forms (Gestalten) that cannot be split up into parts; called also gestalt theory.