Commentary on "What Changes the Individual in Gestalt Groups?" by J. Handlon and I. Fredericson

The invitation to comment Handlon and Fredericson's proposed theory prompted the present writer to look again at the process of theory-making between people and over time, and to speculate on the tendencies to the pole of elaboration and the other pole of simplification, and to where each is useful. The proposed theory stimulated the commentator to want more definition of group, of the nature of contact, of what is a Gestalt group, and of what is positive change. She adds some of her own attempts at definition in these four areas, and suggests that the categories of power and agape might help raise awareness of kinds of change individuals are likely to find useful.