Humanistic Psychology Flashcards
What is the metaphor w/ a plant and flower?
A plant or flower has potential to flower & grow
This depends on how much the ENVIRONMENT we are exposed to (how much “water” & “sunlight” we get)
We CAN grow into a healthy & beautiful flower/plant
What is humanistic psychology?
Focuses on what?
Based on premise that you have to UNDERSTAND their UNIQUE view of REALITY
Focuses on phenomenology
Empathizes how ppl FEEL, THINK, EXPERIENCE & CHOOSE —> how these make up the HUMAN MIND
“Perception of reality” = most important
The mind is fundamentally “________” from other objects of study b/c the human mind is “_______”
Psychology needs to address this ^^
Humanistic psychologists seek to understand the “________” of the mind that are “__________” human and give life meaning
Different; aware
Aspects; uniquely
FUNDAMENTAL DIFF = THAT MIND IS AWARE
What is phenomenology?
Ones CONSCIOUS experience of the world
Psychologically MORE important than WORLD
All that matters:
1. Immediate
2. Conscious
= only time and place you exist is RIGHT NOW
= PAST is gone, PRESENT matters
= this is called a CONSTRUL
What is existentialism?
1800’s
Purpose was to REGAIN CONTACT w/ experience of being ALIVE & AWARE
CONCRETE & SPECIFIC experience —> existing @ particular moment in TIME & SPACE
What are the 3 parts of experience according to existentialism?
- Biological importance (“Umwelt”):
- sensations felt by biological organism - Social experience (“Mitwelt”):
- WHAT you feel & think as social being - Psychological experience (“Eigenwelt”):
- HOW you feel & think when trying to understand oneself, own mind & experience
- involves introspection
Biological importance is also called?
Umwelt
Social experience is also called?
Mitwelt
Psychological experience is also called?
Eigenwelt
What is thrown- ness?
Fails to provide worldview answer of what 2 things?
Refers to TIME/PLACE/CIRCUMST. Iinto which you HAPPEN to be BORN
Existence in MODEERN SOCIETY = tough = world “no meaning or purpose”
FAILS provide worldview that can answer:
1. WHY are you here?
2. WHAT should you be doing?
= no answer to these
What is angst?
What 3 seperate sensations does it involve?
UNPLEASANT/ANXIOUS feelings caused by contemplation of life & whether you are SPENDING yours the RIGHT WAY
3 separate sensations:
1. Anguish:
- choices are NEVER perfect
2. Forlornness:
- choices are YOURS ALONE
3. Despair:
- many outcomes are BEYOND your CONTROL
- includes some important elements in life
SAD REALITY THAT CANNOT CHANGE FATE FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS AROUND US
What is bad faith?
Existentialists believe you can either…
- FACE your own MORTALITY & SEEK PURPOSE for your existence
= REQUIRES “optimistic toughness” aka existential courage
Or
- AVOID existential questions
= living in BAD FAITH
Ex) avoid problem, get good paying job, house, high social status & to not think for oneself
What are 2 problems w/ living in bad faith?
- You GIVE UP YOUR LIFE if…
= refuse to examine self
= refuse to understand meaning of experience - If you IGNORE troubling existential issues…
= you will STILL not be happy
= choosing NOT to worry is still a choice
What did the one philosopher say about living in bad faith?
…Humans are essentially a rock, we are not much different from mud…
= We must strive to find meaning in life (not live in bad faith)
= We must be aware of our own luck, we don’t have it forever (understanding our own morality)
…Otherwise we are NOT much different from mud…
“People come from the earth & return to it”
What is authentic existence?
However this does NOT “_______” you from loneliness & unhappiness
The human being is the “_____” animal that understands it “______ _____”
Therefore, “______” through existentialism can people regain awareness of their “________”
Entails being HONEST, INSIGHTFUL & MORALLY CORRECT
Relieve
Only; must die
Only; freedom
What is optimistic humanism?
Who does it involve ?
People are BASICALLY GOOD
They seek to RELATE to one another
Have an INNATE NEED to IMPROVE themselves & world
People have “FREE WILL”
Involves Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow
What did Carl Rogers believe?
How does this relate to the flower/plant metaphor?
A person can be understood ONLY from perspective of their PHENOMENAL FIELD (entire panorama of conscious experience)
Ppl have a BASIC NEED to actualize, maintain & enhance life
GOAL of existence is to = SATISFY THIS NEED ^
This route VARYS from person-person & must be CHOSEN by this person
Ones FULL SELF is = self actualization
Need “fertile” environment to grow and flourish
What is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? (Order)
Basic psych needs (food, water, etc…) —> safety/security/comfort —> belonging & social activity —> status & esteem —> SELF-ACTUALIZATION
What is a fully functioning person?
Rogers believes this is only possible w/ “_________ ________ _____”
Someone who can PERCEIVE the world ACCURATELY
w/out:
= neurotic distortion
& takes:
= responsibility for own actions
Unconditional positive regard
received from:
- teachers/parents
can be from:
- any background
According to Rogers…
“________ __ ______” are what limit your freedom on how you act & think that distort your reality
Give an example of their thought process…
Conditions of worth
Ex) “Think that people have value only if you’re a good person, wealthy etc..”
= if you ARE/ACT a certain way
What are the 7 factors on the contingencies of self-worth scale?
- Academic competence:
- doing well in school = gives me sense of self-respect - Appearance:
- self-esteem influenced = how attractive I think I am - Competition:
- feel worthwhile = perform better than others on task/skill - Others approval:
- can’t respect self = if others don’t respect me - Family support:
- don’t feel loved by my family = self-esteem would suffer - Gods love:
- no gods love = self-esteem would suffer - Virtue:
- do something unethical = self-esteem would suffer
What was seen in the longtitudal study of university studies and self-esteem?
1st year uni students were increasingly unhappy, depressed and did more drugs if they focused more on…
External contingencies —> concern/focus on how OTHERS view you
More difficult b/c this ^ is seen out of your OWN CONTROL
What is Rogerian psychotherapy?
What is his ultimate goal?
Ultimate goal —> help the client become a FULLY FUNCTIONING PERSON
Does involve ENORMOUS amount of time & patients
Therapist job to…
1. Help client PERCEIVE their own THOUGHTS/FEELINGS W/OUT therapist seeking to CHANGE them in any way
2. Make the client feel APPRECIATED no matter what the THINK, SAY or DO
3. Make minimal comments, or opinions = ALLOW insight
What did Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi believe?
Your MOMENT-TO-MOMENT experience is what really MATTERS in LIFE
Best way to spend time = in AUTOTELIC activities (“enjoyment”itself)
Flow:
- total absorbing experience of ENGAGING IN ACTIVITY that is VALUABLE for its own sake
- doing something for yourself b/c you ENJOY it
What are some characteristics of flow?
Give an example…
- TREMENDOUS CONCENTRATION
- Total LACK OF DISTRACTIBILITY
- THOUGHTS ONLY concerning task at HAND
- SKILLS : CHALLENGE (balanced ratio b/w challenge and skill)
- Mood SLIGHTLY ELEVATED —> TIME seems to PASS very QUICKLY
- LOSING track of TIME
Ex) reported by dancers, surgeons, chess players, and even gamers
What did Salvatore Maddi believe?
People seek to avoid stress by developing a “__________” lifestyle
What are 3 aspects of this lifestyle? ^
W/OUT stress = life BORING & MEANINGLESS
Conformist
3 aspects of conformist lifestyle:
1. Vegetativeness:
- “nothing has meaning”
2. Nihilism:
- life dominated by anger & disgust
- constantly (-) attitude
- uses sarcasm to cope
3. Adventurousness:
- only extreme thrill gets them happy
- may hide/conceal emptiness
- may lead to drug use
Happiness can be sought via what 2 paths?
- Hedonia:
- MAX pleasure, MINIMIZE pain
- dangerous
- risk living life w/out DEPTH, MEANING or COMMUNITY - Eudaimonia:
- pursue IMPORTANT goals & relationships
- TAKE responsibility for choices
- seeking goals that are VALUABLE in own right
(Intrinsic) RATHER “means to an end” (extrinsic)
What is included in self-determination theory?
- Autonomy
- Relatedness
- Compentenance
SATISFIED?
Yes = fully functioning person
No = not ^^^
What is positive psychology?
Known as the “_________” of humanistic psychology
AIM to correct LONGSTANDING OVEREMPHASIS w/in psych on PSYCHOPATHY & MALFUNCTION
Argues that SATISFYING/MEANINGFUL life involves HAPPINESS
TRUE happiness comes from —> OVERCOMING important challenges
What are the 6 core virtues identified by positive psychology?
Give examples for each one…
- Courage:
- emotional strengths that exercise WILL
- accomplish goals when facing opposition
Ex) bravery, perseverance & honesty - Justice
- strengths that UNDERLIE healthy community life
Ex) fairness, leadership & teamwork - Humanity
- protect/take care of OTHERS
Ex) love & kindness - Temperance
- strengths protect against EXCESS
Ex) forgiveness, humility, prudence & self-control - Wisdom
- strengths entail ACQUISTION & use of KNOWLEDGE
Ex) creativity, curiosity, judgment & perspective - Transcendence
- strengths give MEANING to LIFE
- CONNECT to larger universe
Ex) gratitude, hope & spirituality
The core virtues (positive psychology) are seen across cultures. Evidence from one study found that…
What one(s) were most universal across cultures?
What one(s) were not particularly important to Eastern cultures?
What one(s) were generally “implied to be good & universal” across cultures?
Justice & humanity = were found to be MOST UNIVERSAL across cultures
Courage = was found to be NOT particularly important to Eastern culture
Temperance, wisdom & transcendence = were found OVERALL across cultures “implied to be good & universal”
What are the 2 unique contributions from positive psychology?
One:
- CONSCIOUS EXPERIENCE is both an OBVIOUS FACT and a BASIC MYSTERY
- awareness is a HUMAN experience, science can NEITHER (deny/confirm)
- ONLY NATURAL that “phenomenological analysis” expands into speculations (philosophical, religious & spiritual)
Two:
- understand another = have understand their CONSTRUALS
- discourage JUDGY attitudes about OTHERS
- NO WAY to prove your VIEW REALITY right and others wrong
