reject Freudian theories concerning the power of the unconscious The Humanists reject Freudian theories concerning the power of the unconscious personality is set by need to reach human potential SELF-ACTUALIZATION Abraham Maslow humans are good driven by need better oneself growth free to choose not controlled by environment and/or unconscious instincts self-awareness Carl Rogers Viktor Frankl
Abraham Maslow fairly normal guy Jewish, but did not deal with issues faced by Freud, et. al. born in Brooklyn went to grad school @ University of Wisconsin worked with Dr. Harry Harlow and his experiments on the rhesus monkeys - fascinated by need for love - theorized we must satisfy certain needs before we can attain self-actualization
Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Self-Actualization Esteem Needs Love and Belonging Needs Security Needs Physical/Basic Needs First 4 set of needs are deficiency needs we lack them & external
Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Qualities of a Self-Actualized Person Focus on others and not self appreciate little things in life realistic about self & others independent not reliant on others spontaneous peak experiences Identified Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, and…
Carl Rogers again, nothing particularly special about his background father of client-centered therapy focus is on client client drives therapy NOT ABOUT THERAPIST!!!!! terms to know: self-actualizing tendency push to become best person possible self-concept our self image; what we think about ourselves genetic blueprint what we are capable of doing; innate capabilities fully functioning person goal of all people - when our self-concept matches with our innate capabilities
Carl Rogers So, how does one get to “fully functioning? get into state of congruence when we have a balance between our abilities and expectations BUT HOW DO WE GET THAT? well, I’ll tell you – get unconditional positive regard/love, that’s how! complete acceptance & love for who we are regardless of our behavior unfortunately, most of the time we get conditional positive regard/love acceptance & love only when we meet some standard of behavior
Carl Rogers so, most of the time we get into a state of incongruence - self-concept does not match our abilities and we feel we are underachieving or inferior what is the cause of incongruence? - mixed signals from parents - destructive influence of educational system - injustice over distribution of wealth - prejudice What do we do? Client-Centered Therapy Therapist completely accepts client and allows client to self-determine
perhaps the most fascinating background of the theorists Viktor Frankl perhaps the most fascinating background of the theorists survivor of Holocaust 1942-1945 performed a number of roles in camps (including Auschwitz) from physician to psychiatrist to slave laborer those who died in concentration camps have some responsibilities in their own demise 1905-1997 - finding meaning to life is key to developing human potential - surviviors found meaning in helping those less fortunate in the concentration camps
Viktor Frankl Founder of Existential Psychology Four Principles 1. Life is Being 2. Life is a process of Becoming 3. Life has choices and we must take Responsibility for these choices 4. Happiness comes from taking responsibility Existential Vacuum – thwarts us in finding meaning and purpose in life