Field Theory

Tudor and Merry (2006: 56) define ‘field theory’ as ‘the view, developed by Lewin (1952) and taken up particularly by gestalt therapy, that psychological relationships may – and indeed, can only – be studied and understood in terms of their surrounding “field”’. Sometimes known as ‘topological and vector psychology’, field theory was born in science (being ‘described elegantly by Einstein’s theory of relativity’: Yontef and Jacobs, 2005: 300).

 

Elements of Field Theory

Yontef and Jacobs (2005: 300) write: ‘Fields have certain properties that lead to a specific contextual theory. As with all contextual theories, a field is understood to be comprised of mutually interdependent elements’.

Lewin believed that behaviour (B) was a function (f) of the current ‘life space’ (LS) of a person. Lewin expressed this idea in the form of a mathematical equation: B = f(LS). Because life space is produced by the person (P) interacting with their environment (E), the formula can also be written as B = f(P,E).

The environment itself is an objective situation, but it is perceived subjectively by individual people, depending on their needs, beliefs, values and abilities. Both person-centred counselling and gestalt therapy are based on phenomenology. Perls, Hefferline and Goodman (1973: 19) wrote: ‘Only the interplay of organism and environment … constitutes the psychological situation, not the organism and environment taken separately’.

Personal development naturally affects – and may cause instability in – the life space. The same also holds true in reverse: instability in the life space can destabilise the individual.

 

How Field Theory Works

According to field theory, forces push a person towards their goal. While individuals may share a goal, the fields that they must pass through to achieve this goal are all different. Nor does each person’s field remain steady; instead, it is dynamic, constantly changing. Field changes can affect the person both in the present and in how that individual develops in future.

 

Implications for Practice

Yontef and Jacobs (2005: 300) observe: ‘A patient’s life story cannot tell you what actually happened in his or her past, but it can tell you how the patient experiences his or her history in the here and now. That rendition of history is shaped to some degree by the current field conditions.’ Thus, field theory in effect ‘renounces the belief that anyone, including a therapist, can have an objective perspective on reality’ (ibid.).

Tudor and Merry (56–57) note that ‘given Rogers’ definitions of awareness, and the belief of the PCA [person-centred approach] that people are essentially social animals … and its emphasis on group, it is perhaps surprising that field theory is not more figural in the theoretical ground of PCP [person-centred psychology]’.

Deutsch (1954: 478) writes: ‘It cannot be said that field theory as a specific psychological theory has much current vitality … His [Lewin’s] impact is reflected instead in his general orientation to psychology, which has left its impress on his colleagues and students’.