Existential & Humanistic Theory

Existentialism is concerned with the meaning of human existence

- Subjective view: The world cannot exist without a person to perceive it.

Viktor Frankl

Existential Theory

- Father of Logotherapy (healing through meaning)

- Nazi Concentration Camp (family died)

- Belief: A person can only control their own response

Rollo May

- Diagnosed with Tuberculosis which led to a 2 year stay in a sanitarium (anxiety)

- Beliefs: Freedom and responsibility; self identity; facing death

Existential & Humanistic Theory

Where Maslow went wrong.

People CAN achieve many elements of self actualization dispite facing many unfilled survival needs.

View of Human Nature

1. Deficiency Needs ("D-needs/motives")

Necessary for survival

• Safety needs- the necessity of a generally predictable world.

2 Categories of Needs

Based on Free will

• People are good, rational, and retain freedom of choice
• Choices make up one's life story

No more blaming childhood!

Its all about:

• Growth
• Self Actualization

2. Being Level ("B level/motives")

You cannot begin striving for B-motives if you are occupied with D-motives.

People at this level have had "Peak Experiences"

(powerful, meaningful experiences in which people transcend the self and be at one with the world)

Abraham Maslow

Cannot deny the basic urges/needs that people have:

Biological

Social

Self fullfilling (personal)

The Human Condition

Balance between opportunities and tragedies

Self Awareness = More Opportunties = More Freedom (Choices) = RESPONSIBILITY

Humanism

Focusing less on anxiety

Existential anxiety always exists!

It comes from the necessity of having to take responsibility.

Everyone has the potential to "actualize" (find meaning) if they are given the right environment.

IF, they experience an environment that is:

• Accepting
• Trusting
• Warm
• Empathic

Take responsiblity and be AUTHENTIC

ANXIETY

Human Potential Movement

People are:

• resourceful
• trustworthy
• capable of change
• innately moving toward growth and self actualization

NOT take responsiblity and be INAUTHENTIC

Biggest difference between humanistic and existential theories:

ANXIETY

The Human Cond. Cont.

• Has a broad self-concept capable of understanding and accepting many feelings and experiences
• Inner self-control (healthier than forced, external control)

Humanism

Unhealthy

2. Understanding one's identity and need to relate to others.

Healthy

Carl Rogers

1. Doing a deed

2. Experiencing value

3. Suffering

Development of Dysfunction

• Those with discrepancies between what they think about themselves and the total range of things he or she experiences
• An inability to accept oneself

3. Search for the meaning of life:

• grew up with a negative and judgemental mother
• started the Humanistic Movement
• Trained policy makers and world leaders

Not making meaningful choices ... not taking responsibility...which means your NOT learning anything to become more self aware!

Goal of Existentialism

• Taking Responsibility
• Develop Self-Awareness
• Develop Self-Identity to use as a reference
• Experience Anxiety

4. Life only exists because death exists

Inauthenticity

• lack of responsiblity

Restricted Existence

• limited Self awareness