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PSYC 360 Exam 2 > Existentialism > Flashcards

Existentialism Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the theory of personality for existential therapy.

A
  • People are meaning-making beings who experience and self-reflect
  • Emotions and behaviors that inform our personality can be unconscious and may conflict
  • Central conflict is between the individual and the ultimate concerns
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2
Q

History

A
  • Not a formal school of psychotherapy
  • Meant to be integrated with other perspectives
  • A way of thinking of the human experience
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3
Q

“Existence precedes essence” means what?

A

We are blank slates and must make choices to decide who we are

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4
Q

“In fashioning myself I fashion the world” means what?

A

The way we make choices tells the world what we value and how we see the world

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5
Q

Explain the difference between the psychoanalytic theory of defenses and existential theory.

A
  • Psychoanalytic: distress comes from drives
  • Existential: distress comes from confronting the ultimate concerns
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6
Q

According to Rollo May, why is classifying people as “existential” inaccurate?

A

He states that the label takes away from the human experience and that labels help us to create less choices

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7
Q

The 4 goals of existential therapy (UIDD)

A
  • Understand unconscious conflicts
  • Identify defense mechanisms
  • Discover the destructive influence of defense mechanisms
  • Develop other ways of coping
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8
Q

Fellow traveler

A
  • The therapist is not immune to any of the ultimate concerns
  • The therapist does the same work alongside the patient
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9
Q

Freedom

A
  • Individuals must confront their own destiny
  • We have the freedom to make choices
  • Requires responsibility and will
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10
Q

Will

A
  • Intentionality/present awareness
  • The process by which we move from wishing to deciding
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11
Q

Failure of willing: impulsivity

A

Inability to be aware of wishes and desires; making decisions unconsciously

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12
Q

Failure of willing: compulsivity

A

Inability to reconcile conscious desires and unconscious wishes/fantasies

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13
Q

Failure of willing: decisional panic

A

Choosing not to decide while still being aware of wishes and desires

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14
Q

Meaning

A
  • There is no inherent meaning in the world
  • We must construct values and narratives about our lives/find meaning
  • Defense: running on autopilot
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15
Q

Isolation

A
  • Requires balance between wish for contact and knowledge of aloneness
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16
Q

Isolation defense mechanism: crave witness

A

Using others as a way to be heard/feel important

17
Q

Isolation defense mechanism: fusion

A

Giving up our own desires and merging with someone else’s

18
Q

What is the ultimate existential concern and what are the most common defenses used to combat anxiety created by this concern?

A
  • Death
  • Defenses: belief in an ultimate rescuer, belief in specialness
19
Q

What does it mean to be living in bad faith?

A

Living without taking responsibility

20
Q

Form of isolation: interpersonal

A

We are always alone; no one can ever experience your consciousness

21
Q

Form of isolation: intrapersonal

A

I will never fully know my unconscious

22
Q

Form of isolation: existential

A

We are born and will die alone; we are always alone in some aspect

23
Q

How does the therapist help the patient address freedom?

A
  • Point out failures of willing in the moment
  • Change “can’t” to “won’t”
  • Inquire about the patient’s role in their own life
  • Encourage ownership of the patient’s own life
  • Correct the inability to wish
  • Reduce impulsivity
  • Help patients decide
24
Q

How does the therapist help the patient address meaning?

A
  • Help patients focus on values beyond themselves
  • Develop curiosity and concern for others
  • Remove obstacles to engagement in life
25
Q

How does the therapist help the patient address isolation?

A
  • Balance isolation and support
  • Focus on authentic and mutual relationships
  • Know that we are alone toghether
26
Q

How does the therapist help the patient address death?

A
  • Have an awakening experience
  • Examine regret
  • Choose to live a “lived life”
27
Q

What is the goal of existential therapy in regard to anxiety?

A

Find tolerable levels of anxiety and use them constructively

28
Q

Evidence base for existential therapy

A
  • Doesn’t focus much on symptom reduction
  • Empirical support derived from research on common factors
29
Q

What are some cultural considerations for existential therapy?

A
  • One of the primary ways we create meaning is through culture

PSYC 360 Exam 2 (4 decks)

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