Maslow, Rogers, Frankl

Maslow’s Holistic Dynamic Theory

Theory that views motivation as driven by a hierarchy of needs and the whole person is motivated by multiple needs

Hierarchy of Needs

Arrangement of innate needs from strongest to weakest that guide behavior

Prepotency

Lower needs must be satisfied before higher needs become motivating

Conative Needs

Basic needs with a motivational or striving nature

Physiological Needs

Basic survival needs like food

Safety Needs

Need for security

Love and Belongingness Needs

Need for relationships

Esteem Needs

Need for self-respect and recognition from others

Reputation

Esteem based on recognition and prestige from others

Self-esteem

Esteem based on personal competence and achievement

Self-actualization

Fulfillment of one’s highest potential and capabilities

Aesthetic Needs

Need for beauty and pleasing experiences

Cognitive Needs

Desire to learn

Neurotic Needs

Nonproductive needs that lead to dysfunction

Metaneeds

Higher-level needs related to growth and being values

Metamotivation

Motivation to maximize potential rather than reduce deficits

Metapathology

Lack of meaning due to unmet metaneeds

B-values

Being values that define psychological health in self-actualizers

Jonah Complex

Fear of achieving one’s full potential

Self-actualizers

Individuals who have fulfilled their potential and achieved psychological health

Person-Centered Theory

Theory that emphasizes subjective experience and innate human potential for growth

Actualizing Tendency

Innate drive to grow

Formative Tendency

Natural tendency toward order and complexity

Maintenance

Tendency to preserve the status quo and meet basic needs

Enhancement

Drive toward growth even if it involves discomfort

Self-concept

One’s perception of “who I am”

Ideal self

Person one aspires to become

Organismic self

Total being including conscious and unconscious experiences

Congruence

Alignment between self-concept and ideal self

Incongruence

Mismatch between self-concept and ideal self leading to distress

Organismic Valuing Process

Evaluating experiences based on their contribution to growth

Conditions of Worth

Feeling valued only under certain conditions

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance without conditions

Counselor Congruence

Therapist being genuine and authentic

Empathy

Understanding and sharing the client’s perspective and feelings

Defensiveness

Protecting self-concept by distorting or denying experiences

Disorganization

Breakdown of self when defenses fail

Fully Functioning Person

Psychologically healthy individual who is open

Logotherapy

Therapy focused on the human search for meaning as the primary motivation

Will to Meaning

The fundamental drive to find purpose in life

Existential Vacuum

Feeling of emptiness and lack of meaning

Noogenic Neurosis

Psychological distress caused by lack of meaning rather than conflict

Freedom of Will

Humans are free to choose their attitudes and responses

Responsibility

Individuals must take responsibility for finding meaning in their lives

Meaning of Life

Unique and specific to each person and situation

Sources of Meaning

Ways people discover meaning in life

Creative Values

Finding meaning through creating or accomplishing something

Experiential Values

Finding meaning through experiencing something or someone (like love)

Attitudinal Values

Finding meaning through one’s attitude toward unavoidable suffering

Tragic Triad

Pain

Tragic Optimism

Maintaining hope and meaning despite tragedy

Self-Transcendence

Going beyond oneself to serve others or a greater purpose

Self-Detachment

Ability to distance oneself from problems and view them objectively