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"I was just coming to that," continues Friedrich. "PIAGET has suggested that the nature of
intelligence (I'd call it the principle of steady productive solutions to problems) is in the balance
between assimilation and accommodation (i.e. the adjustment of one's own categories to the
peculiarities of the 'stranger' with whom one enters into a relationship). Hence I would like to say
to PERLS - though, in contrast to you, Theo, I'm only referring to the theoretical part of his work: In
spite of the justified rejection of a process which is nothing but the forced 'introjection' of
indigestible chunks, the regulating process of accommodation, i.e. the adjustment of one's own
categories of recognition to the factual structure of what is to be recognised (e.g. the present
terminology of Gestalt theory) is greatly neglected in a tendency towards exuberant assimilation
(1980, p. 116). This becomes especially salient, for instance, when PERLS, HEFFERLINE and
GOODMAN name the Gestalt theoretical differentiation between figure and ground as the basic
concept of Gestalt therapy and its understanding of psychical processes. It is obvious that in this
presupposition the Gestalt theoretical concepts of figure/ground on the one hand and centering
on the other are confused, and thus the concept of figure/ground is strained to the point of
becoming unfathomable (simply because it is really centering which is talked about). -In this socalled
theoretical foundation of Gestalt therapy we have to look for clearly stated findings amidst
this flood of assimilation, and there are indeed things to be discovered:
"1. It appears to me that the necessary, but at the same very difficult integration of Gestalt theory
and psychoanalysis has been successful despite the occasional hitch when it comes to a precise
terminology. This is a huge step and the reason why the volume concerned with practical matters
(the second volume by PERLS, HEFFERLINE and GOODMAN) is so fascinating.
"2. I found the explanations in the volume about practical matters gripping and very enlightening.
The book contains a fascinating demonstration of how an increasing awareness of the perception
of external circumstances leads to an increasing awareness of internal processes. This makes clear
the connection, perhaps even unity, of 'purely' perceptive, emotional, and motor processes, which
constitutes a phenomenon which has not been sufficiently emphasised by the Berlin School of
Gestalt theory, even though it was never overlooked. I have got to accept this criticism coming
from PERLS and his colleagues even though I am a follower of the Berlin School myself (HOETH,
1980, 116).
"I used to have another suspicion - i.e. that PERLS tempted his patients into becoming assimilation
fanatics -, but have not been able to find evidence for this, either. On the contrary: PERLS, who is a
brilliant phenomenologist, implies in his practical explanations and quite possibly also in his
practical therapy the duty of others towards accommodation by demanding that they develop
categories of perception which would make possible an awareness of the phenomena, which
become clear in his view. - Perhaps the therapeutic practitioner PERLS is ahead of the theoretician
PERLS? - Integration is certainly necessary. I believe that so-called academic psychology ought to
deal with PERLS's work in great detail (1980, 117).
That's it for the moment," closes Friedrich. "You're a tolerant man," remarks Theo with a quick
side-glance at Fritz. The latter understands what is meant by it and suggests, "Perhaps Paul is yet
to roast me."
Paul: "That's not the point, but there is something which I do think is important: In Gestalt therapy
dreams play a crucial role. PERLS calls the dream the 'royal way to integration' in an attempt to
distinguish himself as a Gestalt theoretician from FREUD, who called it the 'royal way to the
unconscious'. However, PERLS remains rooted in psychoanalysis and basically in the same
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