Gestalt
Psychology: The Sum Is Greater Than The
Individual Parts
The greatest lesson that
sports teaches you is that Gestalt psychology
truly does make sense. What is Gestalt psychology?
Gestalt psychology is based
on the belief that the whole is greater
than the sum of its parts (Gestalt is German
for "form" or "shape").
A good example is the St-Louis
Rams of the National Football League (NFL).
Here is a team filled with talent. Quarterback
Kurt Warner is a two-time MVP. Running back
Marshall Faulk was the best Offensive Player
of the Year two years in a row. Receivers
Isaac Bruce is a Pro Bowler.
While every single one of these players
has a legitimate reason to ask for the ball,
none of them do. They all trust that the
quarterback will do what is best for the
team in order to win.
The players are not focused
on getting the ball more often; they want
the offense – as a unit (of the Greatest
Show on Earth as some dub it) – to
put up the numbers necessary to win games.
Of course, it is much easier
to say that you are a team
player than it is to be one.
|
