Humanistic Psychology Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is the metaphor w/ a plant and flower?
A plant or flower has potential to flower & grow
This depends on how much the ENVIRONMENT we are exposed to (how much “water” & “sunlight” we get)
We CAN grow into a healthy & beautiful flower/plant
What is humanistic psychology?
Focuses on what?
Based on premise that you have to UNDERSTAND their UNIQUE view of REALITY
Focuses on phenomenology
Empathizes how ppl FEEL, THINK, EXPERIENCE & CHOOSE —> how these make up the HUMAN MIND
“Perception of reality” = most important
The mind is fundamentally “________” from other objects of study b/c the human mind is “_______”
Psychology needs to address this ^^
Humanistic psychologists seek to understand the “________” of the mind that are “__________” human and give life meaning
Different; aware
Aspects; uniquely
FUNDAMENTAL DIFF = THAT MIND IS AWARE
What is phenomenology?
Ones CONSCIOUS experience of the world
Psychologically MORE important than WORLD
All that matters:
1. Immediate
2. Conscious
= only time and place you exist is RIGHT NOW
= PAST is gone, PRESENT matters
= this is called a CONSTRUL
What is existentialism?
1800’s
Purpose was to REGAIN CONTACT w/ experience of being ALIVE & AWARE
CONCRETE & SPECIFIC experience —> existing @ particular moment in TIME & SPACE
What are the 3 parts of experience according to existentialism?
- Biological importance (“Umwelt”):
- sensations felt by biological organism - Social experience (“Mitwelt”):
- WHAT you feel & think as social being - Psychological experience (“Eigenwelt”):
- HOW you feel & think when trying to understand oneself, own mind & experience
- involves introspection
Biological importance is also called?
Umwelt
Social experience is also called?
Mitwelt
Psychological experience is also called?
Eigenwelt
What is thrown- ness?
Fails to provide worldview answer of what 2 things?
Refers to TIME/PLACE/CIRCUMST. Iinto which you HAPPEN to be BORN
Existence in MODEERN SOCIETY = tough = world “no meaning or purpose”
FAILS provide worldview that can answer:
1. WHY are you here?
2. WHAT should you be doing?
= no answer to these
What is angst?
What 3 seperate sensations does it involve?
UNPLEASANT/ANXIOUS feelings caused by contemplation of life & whether you are SPENDING yours the RIGHT WAY
3 separate sensations:
1. Anguish:
- choices are NEVER perfect
2. Forlornness:
- choices are YOURS ALONE
3. Despair:
- many outcomes are BEYOND your CONTROL
- includes some important elements in life
SAD REALITY THAT CANNOT CHANGE FATE FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS AROUND US
What is bad faith?
Existentialists believe you can either…
- FACE your own MORTALITY & SEEK PURPOSE for your existence
= REQUIRES “optimistic toughness” aka existential courage
Or
- AVOID existential questions
= living in BAD FAITH
Ex) avoid problem, get good paying job, house, high social status & to not think for oneself
What are 2 problems w/ living in bad faith?
- You GIVE UP YOUR LIFE if…
= refuse to examine self
= refuse to understand meaning of experience - If you IGNORE troubling existential issues…
= you will STILL not be happy
= choosing NOT to worry is still a choice
What did the one philosopher say about living in bad faith?
…Humans are essentially a rock, we are not much different from mud…
= We must strive to find meaning in life (not live in bad faith)
= We must be aware of our own luck, we don’t have it forever (understanding our own morality)
…Otherwise we are NOT much different from mud…
“People come from the earth & return to it”
What is authentic existence?
However this does NOT “_______” you from loneliness & unhappiness
The human being is the “_____” animal that understands it “______ _____”
Therefore, “______” through existentialism can people regain awareness of their “________”
Entails being HONEST, INSIGHTFUL & MORALLY CORRECT
Relieve
Only; must die
Only; freedom
What is optimistic humanism?
Who does it involve ?
People are BASICALLY GOOD
They seek to RELATE to one another
Have an INNATE NEED to IMPROVE themselves & world
People have “FREE WILL”
Involves Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow
What did Carl Rogers believe?
How does this relate to the flower/plant metaphor?
A person can be understood ONLY from perspective of their PHENOMENAL FIELD (entire panorama of conscious experience)
Ppl have a BASIC NEED to actualize, maintain & enhance life
GOAL of existence is to = SATISFY THIS NEED ^
This route VARYS from person-person & must be CHOSEN by this person
Ones FULL SELF is = self actualization
Need “fertile” environment to grow and flourish
What is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? (Order)
Basic psych needs (food, water, etc…) —> safety/security/comfort —> belonging & social activity —> status & esteem —> SELF-ACTUALIZATION
What is a fully functioning person?
Rogers believes this is only possible w/ “_________ ________ _____”
Someone who can PERCEIVE the world ACCURATELY
w/out:
= neurotic distortion
& takes:
= responsibility for own actions
Unconditional positive regard
received from:
- teachers/parents
can be from:
- any background
According to Rogers…
“________ __ ______” are what limit your freedom on how you act & think that distort your reality
Give an example of their thought process…
Conditions of worth
Ex) “Think that people have value only if you’re a good person, wealthy etc..”
= if you ARE/ACT a certain way
What are the 7 factors on the contingencies of self-worth scale?
- Academic competence:
- doing well in school = gives me sense of self-respect - Appearance:
- self-esteem influenced = how attractive I think I am - Competition:
- feel worthwhile = perform better than others on task/skill - Others approval:
- can’t respect self = if others don’t respect me - Family support:
- don’t feel loved by my family = self-esteem would suffer - Gods love:
- no gods love = self-esteem would suffer - Virtue:
- do something unethical = self-esteem would suffer
What was seen in the longtitudal study of university studies and self-esteem?
1st year uni students were increasingly unhappy, depressed and did more drugs if they focused more on…
External contingencies —> concern/focus on how OTHERS view you
More difficult b/c this ^ is seen out of your OWN CONTROL
What is Rogerian psychotherapy?
What is his ultimate goal?
Ultimate goal —> help the client become a FULLY FUNCTIONING PERSON
Does involve ENORMOUS amount of time & patients
Therapist job to…
1. Help client PERCEIVE their own THOUGHTS/FEELINGS W/OUT therapist seeking to CHANGE them in any way
2. Make the client feel APPRECIATED no matter what the THINK, SAY or DO
3. Make minimal comments, or opinions = ALLOW insight
What did Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi believe?
Your MOMENT-TO-MOMENT experience is what really MATTERS in LIFE
Best way to spend time = in AUTOTELIC activities (“enjoyment”itself)
Flow:
- total absorbing experience of ENGAGING IN ACTIVITY that is VALUABLE for its own sake
- doing something for yourself b/c you ENJOY it
