Phenomenological Approaches What is Phenomenology? Binswanger: Authenticity Carl Rogers: Self-Actualization George Kelly: Constructive Alternativism Csikszentmihalyi: Flow

Psychodynamics Subjective, unconscious experience Unobservable, can’t use scientific method Biological Approach Objective, observable situational influences Rigorous use of scientific method Phenomenology Focus on conscious individual experience Introspection Integrative view

Three Aspects of Existence Eigenwelt “Ownworld” Mitwelt “Withworld” Umwelt “Aroundworld”

Main Characteristics of Phenomenological Approaches Holistic, Qualitative, Idiographic complete description of human existence taking the individual’s own perspective Phenomenological Method focus on individual experience of the world focus on interpretation of events, not the events themselves

Theoretical Background of Phenomenological Approaches Humanistic Psychology e.g. Rogers, Kelly looks at higher human motives, self-development, esthetics Existential Philosophy e.g. Sartre focus on people’s personal decisions, subjectivity, individuality life is only meaningful, if we make it meaningful

What makes life meaningful? Achievement Spirituality Relationships Art Social Responsibility Developing One’s Potential

Ludwig Binswanger (1881-1966) Existence vs. Essence The “Givens” of Existence thrownness ambivalent physical body choice/freedom anxiety/guilt death Authenticity vs. Inauthenticity

Carl Rogers (1902-1987) Core of human nature is positive Culture and environment teach us to behave in negative ways. Basic goal is self-actualization. Individuals perceive the world uniquely  phenomenal field “Self”: Key part of one’s personality

Rogers’ Definition of “Self” Organized and consistent pattern of perceptions Primarily conscious Different from the “ideal self” (perceptions and meanings that are self-relevant and that are valued highly) Is measured by: Adjective Checklist Q-sort Semantic Differential

Demonstration Semantic Differential

Conditions of Worth Incongruity Defenses Ideal Therapist conditional positive regard conditional positive self-regard Incongruity real self ideal self Defenses perceptual distortion denial, projection Ideal Therapist congruent unconditional positive regard empathy respect

George Kelly (1905-1966) Used the “fruitful metaphor” of seeing ordinary people as scientists: “A person’s processes are psychologically channelized by the way in which he anticipates events” Laypeople AND scientists subject to hidden psychological forces trying to predict the world by understanding its mechanisms

Constructive Alternativism Multiple possible world views People describe the world along bipolar dimensions (“constructs”) Some constructs are related (“schemas”) Social groups/cultures/families have similar constructs

Measuring the Construct System Role Construct Repertory Test (REP) Participant gives list of persons who are most important Participant lists dimensions on which pairs of three are rated Constructs differ in content and complexity

Demonstration REP

Constructs & Emotions New information challenges existing construct system - constructs are no longer validated (predicting the world correctly) Impermeable and preemptive constructs are problematic Constructs need to change - if not, negative emotions are the consequence anxiety = existing constructs threatened guilt = behaving in discordance to constructs aggression = forcing others to fit my constructs