Max Wertheimer

Max Wertheimer (1880-1943) was a psychologist most recognized for being one of the founders of Gestalt psychology. Wertheimer's interest in sensation and perception began by observations of flashing lights. His research on light perception led to the discovery of the phi phenomenon in 1912 which is an optical illusion in which a series of still images presented in succession of one another are viewed as being in continuous motion. Along with Wolfgang Kohler and Kurt Koffka he was one of the founders of Gestalt psychology which embraces a holistic approach to understanding mental processes and perception. This holistic approach recognizes that small components are pieces that build the entire perception.