Force field analysis is an influential development in the field of social science. It provides a framework for looking at the factors (forces that influence a situation, originally social situations. It looks at forces that are either driving movement toward a Objective (goal) (helping forces) or blocking movement toward a goal (hindering forces). The principle, developed by Kurt Lewin is a significant contribution to the fields of social science psychology social psychology organizational development process management and change management Lewin, a social psychologist, believed the "field" to be a Gestalt psychology psychological environment existing in an individuals (or in the collective group) mind at a certain point in time that can be mathematically described in a topological constellation of constructs. The "field" is very dynamic, changing with time and experience. When fully constructed, an individuals "field" (Lewin used the term "life space") describes that persons motives, values, needs, moods, goals, anxieties, and ideals. Lewin believed that changes of an individuals "life space" depend upon that individuals internalization of external stimuli (from the physical and social world) into the "life space." Although Lewin did not use the word "experiential," (see experiential learning he nonetheless believed that interaction (experience) of the "life space" with "external stimuli" (at what he calls the "boundary zone") were important for development (or regression). For Lewin, development (or regression) of an individual occurs when their "life space" has a "boundary zone" experience with external stimuli. Note, it is not merely the experience that causes change in the "life space," but the acceptance (internalization) of external stimuli. Lewin took these same principles and applied them to the analysis of group conflict learning adolescence hatred morale German society, etc. This approach allowed him to break down common misconceptions of these social phenomena, and to determine their basic elemental constructs. He used theory, mathematics and common sense to define a force field, and hence to determine the causes of human and group behavior.

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References

*Cartwright, D. (1951). Foreword to the 1951 Edition. Field Theory in Social Science and Selected Theoretical Papers-Kurt Lewin Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1997. Originally published by Harper & Row. *Lewin K. (1943). Defining the "Field at a Given Time." Psychological Review. 50: 292-310. Republished in Resolving Social Conflicts & Field Theory in Social Science,Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1997.

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See also

Field theory (psychology) Category:Management Category:Social sciences Category:Organizational studies and human resource management Category:Pedagogy Category:Evaluation methods Category:Change management Category:Problem solving de:Kraftfeldanalyse es:Teoría del campo