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Abraham maslow hierarchy of needs and nursing
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The humanistic approach is characterized as a theory containing 4 specific places of emphasis; personal responsibility, the ‘here and now’, the experience off the individual and personal growth (Burger, 2015). While existential theory places emphasis on the human condition as a whole. Frankl’s existential theory focused on 3 concepts, free will, will to meaning, and the meaning of life (Batthyany, n.d.). Each puts significant importance on the individual to cultivate their own path of improvement. Although the existential and humanistic theory appear seamlessly entwined, there are some differences that appear upon further evaluation. Carl Roger’s was a humanistic theorist who was the first to focus on a ‘patient-centered’ form of therapy
Maslow sought to fill in the left behind by Freud’s dismal outlook on the human experience by evaluating our needs, from basic to sought after, to create the chart showing one the process of achieving self-actualization. Maslow’s article, Psychological Data and Human Values mentions the study of free will, which is an important part of the existential theory. Maslow explains that when given the choice of free will there are those who are ‘good choosers’ and ‘bad choosers’. “Good choosers can choose better for the bad choosers than they can choose for themselves” (Maslow, 1962). It goes on to discuss the basic needs of each individual as explained by his hierarchy of needs having from the largest place in the pyramid to the smallest: psychological needs, safety needs, belonging needs, esteem needs, and lastly, self-actualization. So few reach the level of self-actualization, maybe one in two hundred, with no real applicable reason why (Maslow, 1962). The article speaks at length of the disillusionment of individuals today, turning to the battle between good and evil to explain the human condition instead of viewing the problem through a lens of psychotherapy. Applicable even today, any individual willing to take the step to enter a course of treatment through therapy can embrace a healthier lifestyle and move
“In Logotherapy/Existential Analysis (LETA) the search for the meaning of life is identified as the primary motivational force inhuman beings” (Betthyany, n.d.). Unlike Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, existentialism is not focused on the process of needs that allows one to achieve self-actualization. Also, unlike Roger’s, existentialism is not focused on the individual’s relationship with themselves and their ability to make decisions. Instead, existentialism is focused on the meaning of life and the reality of death. In Frankl’s article, Logotherapy and Existentialism, he speaks to the fact that his theory does not focus on the technique of therapy rather than an interpersonal relationship between patient and therapist (Frankl, 1967). It is important that the client be seen as an individual capable of more than they currently offer in order to reach a state in which they will offer more. “Psychotherapy is more than technique in that it is art, and goes beyond pure science in that it is wisdom” (Frankl, 1967). It goes on to explain how his beliefs on existentialism is not a replacement for Freud’s earlier adaptations, but rather an expansion identifying man’s understanding of self to be the end all be all of psychotherapy. Today we are able to use Frankl’s theory to push ourselves forward into a new sense of being. Finding personal understanding will allow us to push the boundaries of who we currently are to express who
Killinger, John. "Existentalism and Human Freedom." The English Journal 50 (1961): 303-13. JSTOR. Web. 12 Aug. 2008.
Existentialists believe that “to live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering”. Despite all the horrific experiences in the concentration, Viktor Frankl is determined to not lose the significance of his life and succumb to the cruelty of his situation. With the use of three literary techniques- argumentation, rhetoric, and style- Frankl gives his proposition warrant that a man will not find meaning in his life by searching for it; he must give his life significance by answering questions life asks him.
Barton, A. (1974). Three worlds of therapy: An existential-phenomenological study of the therapies of freud, jung, and rogers ([1st ed. ed.). Palo Alto, Calif: National Press Books.
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.
Throughout Viktor Frankl’s life and struggles he discovered and developed his theory of logotherapy. Frankl has helped many patients find meaning in their lives by having them create a work, finding the meaning in love, or by finding the meaning behind hopeless suffering. He has helped people discover these by using different techniques like paradoxical intention, dereflexion, or Socratic dialogue. Thus, to choose one’s attitude in any circumstance allows one to choose one’s way. This saying if a man cannot find meaning in his suffering, then it is easy for him to lose hope or faith. According to Viktor Frankl, man’s deepest desire is to search for meaning and purpose in one’s life.
In his work, Who is Man, Abraham J. Heschel embarks on a philosophical and theological inquiry into the nature and role of man. Through analysis of the meaning of being human, Heschel determines eight essential traits of man. Heschel believes that the eight qualities of preciousness, uniqueness, nonfinality, process and events, solitude and solidarity, reciprocity, and sanctity constitute the image of man that defines a human being. Yet Heschel’s eight qualities do not reflect the essential human quality of the realization of mortality. The modes of uniqueness and opportunity, with the additional singular human quality of the realization of mortality, are the most constitutive of human life as uniqueness reflects the fundamental nature of humanity,
The Merriam – Webster Dictionary defines existentialism as a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad (Merriam, 2011). In other words, an existentialist believes that our natures are the natures we make for ourselves, the meaning of our existence is that we just exist and there may or may not be a meaning for the existence, and we have to individually decide what is right or wrong and good or bad for ourselves. No one can answer any of those things for us. A good example of existentialism is Woody Allen’s movie, Deconstructing Harry. A man is haunted by his past and his past has followed him into the present. He is a wreck not because of the things that happened to him, but because of the choices he made. He is consumed by regret and insecurity and he tries to find blame in his situation with someone other than himself, however he cannot (Barnes, 2011). Throughout the rest of this paper I will be discussing two of the most prominent existentialists, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.
The Existential Approach stands for respect for the person, for exploring new aspects of human behavior, and for divergent methods of understanding people (Corey, 2013). Existentialists do not focus on instinctive drives or internalized others but on the person's unavoidable confrontation with the givens of the human condition. Yalom (1980) described those givens as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. (Bauman, & Waldo, 1998).
Existential therapy through the eyes of Dr. Yalom is very fascinating. There is never a fixed life that each person is supposed to live. In his therapy the clients are allowed to find out for themselves what it is they need by receiving adequate questioning from Dr. Yalom. His questioning guides them down the existential path to freedom and responsibility.
Individual’s “possess inner needs and are motivated by the desire to fulfill these needs” (Phillips & Gully, 2014). Abraham Maslow, and Clay Alderfer offer two separate models that explore the needs of individuals. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs contests that people have five levels of needs which they progress. Alderfer suggests there are three groups of individual needs and he views his model more as a continuum rather than a hierarchy. (Phillips & Gully, 2014) The lowest level on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs depicts an individual’s basic physiological needs for food, water, and comfort. This need runs parallel to Alderfer’s existence needs that describes an individual’s desire for physical and material well-being. The second level on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is safety and security needs such as ones desire for health, and job security. The third level on Maslow’s hierarchy is social needs for friendship and belonging which coordinates to Alderfer’s relatedness needs; desires for respect and relationships with others. The fourth level on Maslow’s hierarchy is self-esteem needs for self-respect and respect for others. The last and highest level on Maslow’s hierarchy is self-actualization needs which include self-fulfillment and the realization of one’s full potential. Alderfer’s growth needs which describe ones desire to make useful and productive contributions coincides with Maslow’s self-actualization needs. (Phillips
There is no general technique with this theory. Themes are applied to the client by assessing their issues. Also, unlike other theories, existentialism addresses the individual’s self-awareness. Weaknesses and Multicultural Considerations Like most theories, this theory has some weaknesses and can prevent the client from progressing. The client may lack the ability to be self-aware and take responsibility for their actions.
I decided early on that I would allow myself to experience these feelings fully, because in order to be a good therapist, I need to be able to understand how the client might be feeling. I am still just beginning this journey, but I have every intention of becoming more open to embracing the new awareness that I have found in this class. This paper describing my philosophy will incorporate all three of these systems of psychotherapy in what I believe to be a clear and cohesive manner.
Existential therapy is a technique that brings awareness to the power of our choices. “This existential approach has opened the way for a more agentic view of human nature and has taken into consideration some of the most fundamental concerns of humanity, which were previously underappreciated in the field of psychology” (Bartz, 2009, p.70). It has been shown to be successful in a variety of groups. Some of these groups are; children, people who have been adopted, incarcerated youth, and victims or culprits of abuse. One doesn’t have to only use one theory or approach during their practice. When it comes to existential therapy, the person using the approach can adapt their interventions to fit their style and personality. At the end of the day, it’s about what will work for the
Humanistic and Existential Psychology are influential on each other, both including the “meaning of our existence, the role of free will, and the uniqueness of each human” (Burger, 2015). This paper reviews 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 connect to the humanistic or existential psychology, and if their ideas still have a relevant application in today’s environment. The first article for review by Viktor Frankl, an existential psychologist, Logotherapy and Existentialism, was written in 1967.
In existentialism one’s mind and body are ultimately free, they have nothing controlling their actions; that freedom is in the way one communicates, one’s actions, one’s choices, one’s