What are examples of the principle totality?

You're likely thinking of the principle of totality, a concept in Gestalt psychology. It's not about physical totality (the whole being the sum of its parts), but rather the idea that we perceive things as a whole, rather than a collection of individual parts.

Here are some examples of the principle of totality in action:

Perception:

* Illusions: Many optical illusions rely on this principle. The "Kanizsa Triangle" is a good example. We see a triangle even though there are only incomplete lines and circles. Our brain fills in the gaps to create a complete shape.

* Faces: We recognize faces as a whole, not just a collection of eyes, nose, and mouth. We can still identify someone even if part of their face is obscured.

* Music: We perceive a melody as a whole, not just a series of individual notes. The relationships between the notes create the meaning and feeling of the melody.

Problem-Solving:

* Chunking: In memory, we often group information into meaningful chunks. This is easier to remember than a long list of individual items.

* Gestalt therapy: This approach to therapy focuses on helping people understand their experiences as a whole, rather than focusing on individual symptoms.

Other examples:

* Storytelling: A compelling story isn't just a series of events; it's a cohesive narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.

* Art: We appreciate a painting or sculpture as a complete work, not just the individual brushstrokes or materials.

The principle of totality is about the active role our brains play in interpreting and understanding the world. We don't just passively receive information; we actively organize it into meaningful wholes.