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Strengths and weaknesses of psychodynamic model
History and nature of psychology
Humanistic and existential theories
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Existential-Humanistic paradigm influenced the intellectual history of western psychology in an essential way through exposure of attention to many important issues ignored by psychology during the first half of the last century. Existential-Humanistic paradigm has two components, first, the need to define and redefine the underlying paradigm that combines the field. Second, the need to choose and refine the appropriate research methodologies. Existential-Humanistic paradigm centralised around a paradigm claiming being concerned with openness to human experience (Hiles, 2000). Theorists representing the Existential-Humanistic paradigm is George Kelly, Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow and Rollo May (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2003, p. 14). George Kelly identified a need in psychological evaluations of school-aged children and adults and turned his attention to this. Kelly was opposing Behaviourism at this time expressing the person a passive respondent to environmental events (Bannister’s, 1966). On the contrary, Kelly view a person as a form of movement driven by itself without any external influences (Fransella, 2005). Another theorist representing the Existential-Humanistic Paradigm is Carl Rogers (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2003, p. 464). …show more content…
Rogers well known client centred therapy represent the concept of a fully functioning person (Cohen, 1997). Another theorist representing the Existential-Humanistic Paradigm is Abraham Maslow (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2003, p.
The authors of the article suggested that future studies should account for the client’s desires to please the therapist and have a larger sample size. The authors concluded that “it appears that a form of being-with and being-for the client cultivates a well-balanced and open human relationship where the core uncertainties and existential concerns about the meaning of the world and of being-in-the-world can not only be addressed but challenged” (Oliveira, Sousa, and Pires, 2012, p. 301). Challenging the client about how they react to the world provides a positive change in the client during therapy.
This approach emphasizes the importance of the potential of humans and sought to make up for the missing component of conscious in the psychodynamic approach. The humanistic approach oriented psychologist has the belief that human behavior is guided by intent and the individual’s set of values (Association, 2014). Those who subscribe to this orientation believe there are both an unconscious and a conscious element to determining behavior. The unconscious element is considered to be the individual’s application of learned norms and experience, while the conscious element is applied by making deliberate choices and decisions. A humanistic oriented practitioner will use differing types of therapy such as client-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, or existential therapy (American Psychological, 2015). Client-centered therapy or person-centered therapy was developed by Carl Rogers and places the client as the leader of the therapy. This approach allows for the growth and better understanding of self within the individual, as they solve their own problems, while the therapist is there to provide empathetic support (Australian, 2010). Gestalt therapy focuses on the responsibility of the individual for their current situation and considers relationships, environment, and social experiences occurring, and influencing behavior (Polster & Polster, 2010). This process consists of the practitioner acting as a guide and offer advise in helping the client to deal with their current issue. Existential therapy consists of allowing an individual the ability to live with their issues within their own existence (Price, 2011). This means a therapist uses this type of therapy to assist clients with understanding what the present problem is and learning to deal with the consequences of that issue in their every day life. With
The nature of human beings is normally viewed to be good. The humanistic theorists emphasize on the many ways that can permit the fulfillment of full potential. This theory is related to therapy and development. Some of the main contributors to this theory include: Abraham Maslow, Victor and Rollo May. These theorists recognize that the determination of life as well as the role of suffering and nervousness.
We may nevertheless say that existentialism is a form of phenomenological philosophy that relies on certain reflective methods of studying human consciousness instantiated in the individual, society, and culture, which emerged as a popular general movement characteristic of 20 century European thought represented thought represented across many disciplines including literature, the humanities, and the social sciences. Existential psychology rejects the mechanistic views of the Freudians and instead sees people as engaged in a search for meaning (Trull & Prinstein, 2013, p. 382), therefore an existential psychotherapist may attribute the cause of the person’s anxiety to lost meaning of life. As Trull and Prinstein (2013) stated, the ultimate goal of existential psychotherapy is "to help the individual reach a point at which awareness and decision making can be exercised responsibly" (p. 383). The role of an existential psychotherapist is to enable the client to come closer to experience. By experiencing self, the client can learn to attach meaning and value to life. Sometimes the therapist will confront the client with questions “that force the client to examine the reasons for failure to search for meaning in life” (Trull & Prinstein, 2013, p.
By acknowledging depressive contributions to acquiring domaining factors within human growth, individual’s can seek their own fulfillment in life through multiple phases. Overall existential therapy primary focuses on the revolvement consuming from individual self-power and the belief in hope. The mindset rest upon the figuration of turning a negative event into a triumph, glory, or hope through one’s own lens. In fact, author and psychologist Viktor E. Frankl expresses key factors of existential beliefs within his novel entitled A Man’s Search for Meaning by portraying and detailing his heart wrenching, yet enlightening and fulfilling story, of his teaching and mindset of belief of hope.
Rogers wrote 19 books and many articles outlining his humanistic theory. Among his best-known works are Client-Centered Therapy (1951), On Becoming a Person (1961), and A Way of Being (1980) He continued to develop his theories In to the 50’s and was particularly concerned to validate his ideas through research, making a huge contribution to research in psychotherapy inspiring thousands of project in the 1960s, 70s and 80s to evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy. His particular contributing to contemporary culture was to put the individual, their experience and self-healing potential at the heart of the change process. This was a serious challenge to mainstream psychology at the time which was bust trying to convince the world that psychologists were the ‘experts’ on human behaviour. With his emphasis on human potential, Carl Rogers had an enormous influence on both psychology and education. Beyond that, he is considered by many to be one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. More therapists cite Rogers as their primary influence than any other
The clinicians that use the approach of the humanistic-existential model believe that to function properly, humans, throughout their lives, have a need to develop perceptions and beliefs about oneself and to accept and value their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regardless of the consequences (Comer, 2016, pg. 58). Humanists argue that people are born good and over the course of their lives, they seek to fulfill their potential known as self-actualization (Comer, 2016, pg. 58). Existentialists believe that human comes to this world with the ability and freedom to choose their destiny and give purpose to their lives (Comer, 2016, pg. 58). From both perspectives, practitioners consider abnormality to be rooted in childhood as a result of
Humanistic psychology relies on client centred therapy and the idea that each individual has the potential to achieve a position in their psyche named self actualisation. Humanistic psychology differs from psychodynamic theory in that it is optimistic about the human psyche and does not view conflict as inevitable. Humanistic psychology assumes people attach meaning to their unique perspectives on the world and that behaviour is strongly influenced by this. Carl Rogers defined the healthy personality as being one that had congruence between the perceived self and the experienced self and that the individual in question experienced unconditional positive regard from their parent or guardian. He defined an unhealthy personality as being one which lacked these components. Abraham Maslow alternatively suggested a hierarchy for which a person’s healthy personality could be measured by stages of psychological and physical needs (see diagram 2). He suggested that, for a person to achieve self actualisation and become a fully functioning person, they must first satisfy all the needs of each level in the pyramid before moving onto the next
His contributions to human behavior have changed many of the theories that preceded him, and his theory contributed to many theories that followed. I want to explore Client/Person Centered Therapy. This is a type of therapy that was pioneered by Carl Rogers. This therapy is different because as the name suggests it solely focuses on the client. ' In focusing on the client, the client’s feelings are deeply explored.
Person-Centered Therapy is an optimistic theory that is categorized in the humanistic approaches to therapy. PC therapy believes that human beings are intrinsically good, and are motivated to be the best that they can be (Carver & Scheier, 2008, p. 346). The theory embodies respect for individuals and values of tolerance and understanding (Brodley, 2007, p. 140). As the name implies the client is responsible for his or her own growth and improvement (Carver & Scheier, 2008, p.344). Rogers' stated that the main assumption of his approach is that “individuals have within themselves vast resources for self-understanding and for altering their self-concepts, basic attitudes, and self- directed behavior” (Rogers, 1980, p.115). One of the underlying assumptions, and main motivation, of Person-Centered Therapy is that human beings possess an innate tendency to grow and meet their full potential, or to self-actualize. Self-actualization is the inherent motivation to reach our highest potential, both emotionally and intellectually (Kosslyn & Rosenberg, 2004, p. 464). Self-actualization moves one towards autonomous behavior and self-sufficiency, it enriches one’s life and enhances their creativity. It also promotes congruence, wholeness, and integration of the person. Rogers describes self-actualizing people as the fully functioning person (Carver & Scheier, 2008, p.322).
The psychoanalytic approach, proposed by Sigmund Freud, is based on the idea that childhood experiences significantly influence the development of later personality traits and psychological problems. In addition, psychoanalysis emphasizes the influence of unconscious fears, desires and motivations on thoughts and behaviors. The humanistic approach, presented by Abraham Maslow, emphasizes self actualization and free-will. It is based on the belief that each person has freedom in directing his or her future.
The therapist tries to provide the client with a safe, responsive, and caring relationship to develop self-exploration, growth, and healing. (Corey, pg. 177) Person-centered therapy core is that all humans are trustworthy and positive. That people can make changes in the way they live and have effective lives, and try to strive toward self-actualization. The reason for this therapeutic type is to strive towards the right growth conditions for the client, and to help a client move forward and fulfill their creative nature. The main theorist behind person-centered therapy is humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
2. Description in detail of the Humanistic theories by Rogers (person-centred) and Maslow (self-actualization) and the evaluation of both theories.
Humanistic and Existential Psychology are influential of each other, both include the “meaning of our existence, the role of free will, and the uniqueness of each human” (Burger, 2015) This paper will review three articles written by influential psychologists of their time, Maslow, Rogers, and Frankl. The review of each will include a summary, how well the contents connects to the humanistic or existential psychology, and if their ideas still have a relevant application in today’s environment.
In the centre of the humanistic approach stands the subjective experience of individuals, the emphasis is that humans rather choose how to behave based on their free will (Derobertis, 2013). The approach rejects that behaviour is bound by past or current circumstances or ruled by uncontrollable forces, but rather believes that humans make decisions regarding their actions based on their own choices and that people are generally good (Glassman & Hadad, 2009). The main dominator of personality development is the self-actualization (Rogers, 1959). The pioneers of the humanistic approach are Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow and George Kelly. Carl Rogers named the person seeking treatment a client and not a patient, he established the client-centred