1 THEORY OF LEARNING BY INSIGHT This theory is also called Gestalt Theory of Learning. An explanation of Gestalt School of Psychology. The word Gestalt in German language means ‘whole’, ‘total pattern’ or ‘configuration’. This school believes that the whole is more important than the parts. So learning also takes place as a whole’. In this respect Koehler performed a number of experiments on monkeys, and arrived at the result that highest types of learning are through insight. Learning by insight means sudden grasping of the solution, a flash of understanding, without any process of trial and error. All discoveries and inventions have taken place through insight. Experiments of Theory of Learning by Insight: (I) Kohler s experiment on Sultan (Experiment with box): Koehler kept a monkey (named Sultan) hungry for some time, and then shut him in a large cage. He hung bananas from the ceiling, and kept a box on the floor of the cage, fast beneath. The monkey could not reach the banana. Another box was put in a corner of the cage. But Sultan could not get the idea of placing one box on the other and thus reaching the banana. Ultimately Koehler gave demonstration of putting one box on the other. Sultan could now learn the whole situation. He used his intelligence and insight to put the two boxes one upon the other, stand on these and then reach the bananas. (ii) Experiment with two sticks: In another experiment Kohler kept two sticks in the cage. One end of the shorter sticks could be fitted in the one end of the longer sticks, so as to make them longer. The monkey did not get the idea of forming the two sticks through trial and error. When Koehler gave a hint through putting his finger in the whole of the bigger stick, the monkey viewed the whole situation and performed the right task through understanding the insight. Essentials of Learning by Insight: 1. Comprehension as a whole: Learning by insight requires full comprehension of the situation as a whole. 2. Clear goal: The goal must be quite clear to begin with. 3. Power of generalization: The learner must possess power of generalization along with those of differentiation. 4. Suddenness of solution: Suddenness of the solution is the hall mark of learning by insight i.e., the solution flashes suddenly to the learner. No lengthy reasoning is involved. 5. New forms of objects: As a result of insight into the problem or situation objects appear in new forms and patterns. 6. Transfer: Transfer of learning occurs as a result of insight. The principles learnt in one situation are applied to the other situation.