Clinical Psychology Lecture 7: Theoretical Models

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Questions and Answers

What is primarily emphasized in humanistic therapy?

The use of specific therapeutic techniques

The importance of client-therapist relationship (correct)

The role of medication in treatment

Financial investment in therapy sessions

Which of the following is a common criticism of humanistic theories?

They lack empirical support and testability (correct)

They dismiss the subjective experience of individuals

They are too focused on the scientific method

They are overly negative about human nature

Which type of client is humanistic psychotherapy said to be most effective with?

Intelligent and well-educated individuals (correct)

Severely disturbed individuals

Individuals with deep psychological trauma

Children and adolescents

Which of the following approaches is NOT typically classified as a type of humanistic psychotherapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Signup and view all the answers

One of the criticisms of humanistic and existential approaches is their:

Ambiguous and nebulous nature Signup and view all the answers

What do the humanistic and existential models emphasize in clinical psychology?

Self-development and the integrity of the individual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key figure in humanistic psychology?

Victor Frankl Signup and view all the answers

How is anxiety viewed in the humanistic paradigm?

A discrepancy between self-perceptions and the ideal self Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the existentialist view in clinical psychology?

Self-determination and individual responsibility Signup and view all the answers

According to Carl Rogers, what is essential for achieving unconditional self-regard?

Unconditional positive regard from others Signup and view all the answers

In the existential paradigm, what triggers anxiety according to Viktor Frankl?

The absence of meaning in life Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy model is associated with Fritz Pearl?

Gestalt Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of humanistic psychology regarding humanity?

To advance the idea of humanity as fundamentally good Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily meant by 'actualizing tendency' in humanistic theory?

The inherent motivation to realize one's full potential. Signup and view all the answers

What can cause abnormal behavior according to Rogers's humanistic theory?

Imposition of conditions of worth. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT a component of Rogers’s Person Centered Therapy?

Therapist directive guidance. Signup and view all the answers

According to Maslow, what does self-actualization refer to?

Striving to fulfill one’s potential. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of the existential model mentioned in the content?

It is viewed as vague and ambiguous. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'unconditional positive regard' in the context of Rogers’s theory?

Valuing and respecting a person irrespective of their actions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the existential model emphasize about the individual's role?

Responsibility to both oneself and others. Signup and view all the answers

How does psychological dysfunction arise according to existential perspectives?

Through failure to recognize life’s responsibilities. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture 7: Basic Theoretical Models of Human Functioning in Clinical Psychology, Part IV

The lecture is a continuation of a series covering basic theoretical models used in clinical psychology.
Humanistic and existential models are the focus of this lecture.
A humanistic therapist emphasizes the client's potential for growth and self-awareness and the drive for self-actualization.
An existential therapist focuses on the client's responsibility for creating meaning in their life.
Key figures in humanistic psychology include Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and Fritz Perls.
Key figures in existential psychology include Rollo May, Irving Yalom, and Victor Frankl.
Humanistic and existential models view the individual's subjective experience as paramount to understanding reality.
Humanistic models propose all individuals strive towards self-actualization.

Humanistic and Existential Models

Both emphasize self-development and the integrity of the individual.
They are similar to psychodynamic models in their focus on insight.
Unlike psychodynamic approaches, humanistic and existential models do not assume human nature is inherently flawed.
The understanding of self and reality is individualized.

Reality

Reality is a product of individual experience and unique perceptions.
It is more critical to understand the subjective universe of an individual rather than external events.
Individuals should be acknowledged as unique.
Individuals have the capacity to choose what they want and fulfill their potential and capabilities.

Humanistic View

Focuses on acceptance, growth, and constructive human interactions.
Assumes that human nature is inherently good, helpful, forward-moving, and trustworthy.
Emphasizes self-actualization.

Existential View

Highlights responsibility, choice, and self-determination.
Individuals have a responsibility to others.
Emphasizes the meaning of life and emphasizes the quest for meaning in life.

Anxiety (Humanistic and Existential Models)

Humanistic Paradigm
- Anxiety arises due to a mismatch between self-perceptions and ideal self.
- Key therapies include Client-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers) & Gestalt Therapy (Fritz Perls).
Existential Paradigm
- Anxiety stems from a lack of meaning in life.
- Learning how to relate with authenticity and spontaneity to others can decrease anxiety.

Rogers's Humanistic Theory

States basic human needs for unconditional positive regard.
This leads to self-regard.
The inability to reach self-actualization comes from misinterpretations because individuals do not fully comprehend their needs.
Societies impose rules or conditions of worth. This implies that one must act in certain ways to receive rewards or acceptance.
The main drive is the actualizing tendency.
It directs individuals to fulfill potential and achieve autonomy.

Rogers's Humanistic Theory: Abnormality

Abnormality stems from lack of support and care.
If free from societal restrictions, individuals would become fully functioning people.
Societal expectations can cause a disconnect between self-concept, actualizing tendency, and behavior.
This can lead to incongruence and behavioral issues.
Abnormal behavior results from a conflict between a person's potential and self-concept.
Value and respect a person, while separating this from their behavior.

Rogers's View of Personality Structure

Congruence involves aligning self-concept with actual experience.
Incongruence involves a disconnect between self-concept and experience.

Rogers's Person-Centered Therapy

Creates a supportive environment.
Demonstrates unconditional positive regard, accurate empathy, and genuineness.
Uses a non-directive form of talk therapy.
Emphasizes equal partnerships between therapist and client.
Limited research support.

Abraham Maslow

Emphasizes the actualizing tendency, where people seek to satisfy biological needs and self-needs.
Highlights self-actualization, which is an inherent drive towards realizing one's full potential.
Introduced a hierarchy of needs (physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization).

Characteristics of Self-Actualizing People

Clear perception of reality
Comfortable in their relationships
Spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness
Focus on problems outside themselves
Need for privacy
Autonomy and Independence
Continued appreciation for life.

Existential Model

Focuses on the quest for meaning in life.
Less optimistic than humanistic therapy.
Stresses the context of the human condition.
Emphasizes individual and social responsibilities and criticizes ambiguous or nebulous nature.
Relates to spirituality.

Existential Model (Continued)

Suggests that psychological dysfunction originates from self-deception.
Describes how people often avoid their responsibilities and fail to recognize their duty to provide meaning to their lives.
Highlights the significance of the client-therapist relationship for achieving goals.
Importance of goals over techniques is highlighted.

Evaluating Humanistic Perspectives

Theories are appreciated for their focus on subjective reality, the need to understand the concept of healthy personality, and their emphasis on a person's need for freedom and responsibility.
Critiques include a lack of a strong research basis, difficulty in testing theories, and a potentially overly optimistic view of human nature.

Criticisms of Humanistic and Existential Approaches

Critics label these approaches as “fuzzy,” ambiguous, or nebulous.
Some theories are applied inappropriately to specific population groups.
While successful in describing the human condition, they are not well suited for developing theories.
They lack a strong empirical basis, favoring subjective experiences and intuitive insight over scientific investigation.
Some find their methods most effective with relatively healthy or “normal” individuals rather than severely disordered ones.

Humanistic Psychotherapy Umbrella

A variety of therapeutic approaches that share core principles of humanistic psychology.

Additional Information

The lectures provide a number of recommended videos with additional information about humanistic and existential perspectives.

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Description

This lecture explores Basic Theoretical Models of Human Functioning in Clinical Psychology, focusing on humanistic and existential approaches. It examines the works of key figures such as Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and Rollo May, highlighting themes of self-actualization and personal meaning. Discover how these models emphasize the individual's subjective experience and the journey of self-development.