The Cycle of Experience and Neurosis

Figure/Background and Open Gestalt

Psychological functioning is explained by the Figure/Background relationship. The "Figure" is the dominant need at a given moment (e.g., thirst, affect) that emerges from the "Background" (the rest of experience).

When the need is satisfied, the figure closes (closed Gestalt) and withdraws to the background, leaving room for a new need to emerge.

If the need is not satisfied, it remains as an open Gestalt or "unfinished business", consuming energy and generating latent discomfort until it is closed.

Layers of Neurosis (Onion Layers)

Perls describes neurosis as a series of layers covering the authentic self, which must be traversed in therapy to reach the vital explosion.

These layers are:

The False/Cliché: Superficial interactions and empty politeness rules ("How are you?", "Fine").

The As If (Roles): Acting out social roles or masks (the good student, the good girl) to please the environment.

The Impasse (Quagmire): Point of blockage and fear where the person feels that he/she has no environmental support or self-support; it is the feeling of being lost or empty.

Implosion (Death): Contraction of energy, fear of nothingness, feeling of paralysis or inner death.

The Explosion (Life): Release of retained energy that manifests as an authentic emotion (anger, crying, joy), connecting the person with his or her true Self.

Summary

Psychic functioning depends on the Figure-Background relationship, where a dominant need emerges. If not satisfied, it remains as