Psychological Perspective of the Self Humanistic and Existential (copy)

The Philosophy of Viktor Frankl - Finding something to live and to die for.

Viktor Frankl - In 1905 Viktor Frankl is born the middle child of a Jewish family, his parents are government employees, and the family is comfortable. When he was twenty years old, he wrote a letter to Sigmund Freud. Freud who is impressed ask him if he could publish the letter Viktor Frankl gave to him. Viktor Frankl wrote a psychoanalytic essay titled “On the Mimic Movements of the Affirmation and Negation,” Viktor Frankl’s published Man search for meaning, Meaning-Seeking Model and Positive Psychology have inspired numerous researchers. Research in logotherapy and positive psychology is concerned with how to live a meaningful life. Austrian Psychiatrist, Philosopher and author, Viktor Frankl spent three years in four different concentration camps. He was living with the camp inmates that are starving, sick, slave labor and possibility of punishment and execution. What’s left to live for in such a horrible place like a concentration camp? When death at short notice and inevitable, is there any reason not to give up on life? Viktor Frankl concluded that there is always a reason to live, and there is always meaning in suffering. The saying “The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”

Logotherapy - is a psychotherapeutic method developed by Viktor Frankl, emphasizing the pursuit of meaning and purpose in life, particularly in the face of adversity and existential challenges.

Existential Frustration - arises from contending with the inherent meaninglessness of existence and the weighty responsibility of navigating significant choices within an uncertain world.

The Positive Bias of Positive Psychology - refers to the initial focus on the bright side of human existence in contemporary positive psychology, marked by Martin Seligman in 1998. The Research emphasizes the importance of facing life's challenges with equanimity and hope, highlighting Frankl's logotherapy as a theoretical framework. Frankl's model revolves around finding meaning in suffering, promoting self-transcendence to become fully human. The author introduces the concept of Existential Positive Psychology and meaning-centered therapy, aiming to integrate Frankl's ideas with positive psychology research, underscoring the crucial role of meaning in well-being.

The Will to Meaning - Viktor Frankl's The Will to Meaning is a profound exploration of the human need for meaning, purpose, and significance in life. The book offers a unique perspective on the search for meaning in life, highlighting the role of suffering, responsibility, and personal freedom in the pursuit of a meaningful existence.

The Positive Psychology of Meaningful Living - Meaningful Life is a construct having to do with the purpose, significance, fulfillment, and satisfaction of life. 

First aspects of a meaningful life - The ability to develop a Global Schema

Second aspects of a meaningful life - Meaningful life is the belief that life itself is meaningful.

The positive psychology of meaning seeking - This centers on the idea of individuals discovering meaning and satisfaction in their existence. It underscores that by recognizing and actively striving towards significant objectives, and by forming connections with values, obligations, and interpersonal connections, individuals can nurture resilience and emotional well-being, even when encountering challenges.

Positive Psychology Research On Meaning - Positive psychology, as a field, has drawn from Frankl's ideas, particularly in understanding how individuals find purpose and meaning in their lives. Research within positive psychology often explores themes related to meaning-making.

Personal Growth - Most people do not realize that Frankl’s self-transcendence hypothesis implies intrinsic motivation for personal growth and self-expansion. One is motivated not only to transcend self-interest, but also to transcend the time and space that defines the physical self. The paradoxical truth is that if we continue to expand our interest beyond ourselves to include ever growing circle of influence, we will eventually lose our “small selves” in finding our “larger selves.” A little-known logic related to self transcendence, is that it demands continual self-improvement if we are to fulfill our full potential. There is no limit to personal growth, at least in the spiritual realm. Therefore, when one is motivated to transcend both external and internal limitations and realize one’s full potential, one is expressing self-transcendence. The vast literature on self efficacy, competence and the growth mindset can all be reinterpreted in terms of the basic human motivation for self-transcendence. According to Frankl, every life has intrinsic value for two reasons. First, every person has a unique calling. Second, every person has the innate tendency to develop their full human potential, regardless of their circumstances. Whether one is in old age or in the terminal stage of cancer, individuals can still grow spiritually, in terms of meaning, faith, courage, compassion and altruism. Frankl and other logotherapists have provided various examples of those who grew in these areas spite of their handicaps and suffering (Frankl, 1985, 1986; Marshall & Marshall, 2012). Future research can explore how a growth orientation will enhance meaningfulness and well-being in cancer patients.

Carl Rogers - was an American psychologist who was one of the founders of ”Humanistic Psychology” and was known especially for his ”person-centered psychotherapy”. One of the forerunners of the humanistic movement in psychology. His works focuses on humanistic approach in psychotherapy

Personality Development and Self-Concept - While Rogers creating his personality development theory, he focuses on the subjective experience and humanistic psychology. He claims that a human being reacts to the change in his “phenomenal field” for its benefits. This “phenomenal field” refers to an individual subjective reality. For Carl Rogers, the individual motivation as well as the environment of a human is based on the phenomenal field.

Real self - was described as what an individual is now.

Ideal self - was described as someone that an individual want to become in ideal conditions.

Unconditional positive regard and self worth - Unconditional positive regard, involves showing a complete support and acceptance of a person no matter what. Rogers believed that people have a need for both self-worth and positive regard for other people. How people think about themselves and how they value themselves have a major role in well being. It might boost their confidence and lead to greater self-worth.

The Good Life and Fully functional person - Rogers claims that the ultimate goals of all individuals is to reach the ideal self-actualization or to be a fully functional person.

Roger’s 7 traits - Openness to experience. Living in the moment. Trust in one’s feelings and instincts. Self direction and the ability to make independent choices. Creativity and malleability. Reliability. Feeling fulfilled and satisfied by life.