Ch 11- Humanistic and Positive Psychology

humanistic psychology

approach to personality that emphasizes aspects of psychology that are distinctly human

• closely related to phenomenological approach and existentialism

elements of humanistic psychology

1. humanistic

2. holistic (human system greater than sum of its parts)

3. historic (whole person from birth to death)

4. phenomenological

5. real life

6. positivity

7. will

8. value

phenomenology

the study of the conscious experience

• conscious experience itself is referred to as an individual’s phenomenology

  • experience of the here and now

construal

an individual’s particular experience of the world or way of interpreting reality

introspection

the task of observing one’s own mental processes

existentialism

approach to philosophy that focuses on the conscious experience (phenomenology), free will, the meaning of life, and other basic questions of existence

Umwelt

Binswanger’s phenomenological analysis

• biological experiences, such as sensations a person feels of being a live animal

Mitwelt

Binswanger’s phenomenological analysis

• social experience such as feelings and thoughts a/b others and oneself in relation to them

Eigenwelt

Binswanger’s phenomenological analysis

• the experience of experience itself

  • result of introspection

thrown-ness

in Heidegger’s existential analysis, the era, location, and situation into which a person happens to be born

angst

anxiety that stems from doubts a/b meaning and purpose of life

• existential anxiety

  • why am i here? what should i be doing?

Sartre

there are no answers besides those come up with yourself

• every human feels forlornness (symptom of Angst)

  • everyone is alone w/ the choices they make

bad faith

living an unexamined life

• no questioning deeper questions of life (taking answers from others)

  • ex: just getting by, going to work, etc

authentic experience

can find meaning by…

• accepting that life has no meaning except that which you create for yourself

• living an authentic life

• doing all you can to better the human condition

humanistic therapy (Carl Rogers)

client-centered therapy

• goal → help client become fully functioning person

• unconditional positive regard

• help overcome conditions of worth

conditions of worth

thought that you are only good if you have a certain quality

fully functioning person

someone who, free of conditions of worth and other self-defeating tendencies, can express the good qualities intrinsic to everyone

Abraham Maslow

people have innate desire for self actualization, self-esteem, belonging, etc

• hierarchy of needs

  • physiological, safety, love, esteem, self-actualization

self-actualization

people have basic tendency to actualize, maintain, and enhance their own experience

personal construct theory (George Kelly)

world is what you “construct” in your mind

• you choose your own construction

• based on past experiences

• we vary in how we construe situations

constructive alternativism

any pattern of experience can lead to numerous construals

• always an alternative explanation for something

sociality corollary

to understand someone, you must understand their view of the world

positive psychology

investigates traits, processes, and social institutions that promote a happy and meaningful life

• reaction to psych’s traditional focus on disease and dysfunction

mindfulness (positive experience)

being aware of your every thought, every sensation, and every experience

• help reduce stress, enhance creativity, improve memory, and free people from disturbing, recurring thoughts

  • positive psychology

flow (positive experience)

subjective experience of an autotelic activity; the enjoyment itself

• totally absorbing experience of engaging in activity valuable for its own sake

  • mood slightly elevated, time passes quickly (when challenge matches skill)

awe

when individuals encounter an entity that is vast and challenges their worldview

• leads to balanced view of one’s strengths and weaknesses

  • some people more prone to experience awe