Lecture 1: Client-Centered Therapy Flashcards
What are 2 important aspects of Rogers theory and explain them
- Self-actualization tendency = organisms are motivated to maintain/enhance themselves, this may be thwarted in individuals with mental illnesses; allows growth (development of capacities) and integration of new skills and knowledge
- Congruence vs. Incongruence = when someone is congruent they are a fully functioning person —> you show the emotions you feel and there is healthy growth and integration; when you are incongruent there are internal/external conflicts/tensions, you no longer show/do what you feel and you start to conform actions to the norms of the environment instead of your own intuition
Best possible adaptation
= when a person does not have perfect circumstances and they therefore become the best person they can be under certain circumstances —> this does not mean this is a good adaptation
What are 3 important aspects related to change in the client and explain them
- self-concept; this enhances through (unconditional) positive regard
- locus of evaluation; evaluation shifts from external (eg. others) to internal factors (eg. inner experiences)
- experiencing; shift from rigid to more open and flexible
What are 9 concepts related to the theory of personality by Rogers
- experience = private world of the individual
- reality = reality as perceived by the individual
- actualization tendency
- internal frame of reference = perceptual field of the individual
- symbolization = process by which an individual becomes aware of an experience
- the Self/Concept of Self/Self-Structure = characteristics of “I” or “me” and their relation to others
- psychological (mal)adjustment = (absence of) congruence between experiences and self-concept —> adjustment means being open to experiences
- fully functioning person = able to experience all feelings, are afraid of none of them and are aware of their experiences
- organismic valuing process = relying on own senses to make value judgements
What are the 3 important aspects of the therapeutic relationship
- Congruence
- Unconditional positive regard; warmth, liking, respect and sympathy
- Empathy; putting own frame of reference aside and using it when necessary, creating space/resonating/validating, address elements that move you or are expressed vividly, be curious, welcome correction
What are 2 aspects of congruence and explain them
- Genuineness; open to/in contact with experimental flow/here-and-now, self-knowledge and honesty
- Transparency; personal presence, consistency in verbal/non-verbal behavior, self-disclosure, disciplined spontaneity
How to communicate UPR (3)
- supportive/caring statements
- unique responsiveness (= therapist is deeply attentive)
- simple affirmations (= commenting on particular behaviors) and complex affirmations (= commenting on persons positive traits/strengths)
What are 2 components of trait empathy
- Cognitive perspective-taking = reading inner experiences/intentions of the other
- Shared affect responding = recognize and experience another’s emotions
What are 12 roadblocks to empathetic listening
- probing = asking questions to gather more info
- advising = making suggestions/providing solutions
- reassuring = comforting/sympathizing/consoling
- agreeing
- directing = telling client what to do/ordering/commanding
- persuading = lecturing/arguing/disagreeing/giving reasons/convincing
- analyzing = reinterpretation/explanation of actions/words
- warning
- distracting
- moralizing = telling people what to do and why
- judging
- shaming
What to reflect on with accurate empathy
- underlying feelings/emotions
- client’s experiences (especially intensely vulnerable ones)
—> depends on the needs of the client
How does one communicate acceptance (3)
- be collaborative rather than directive, confront gently to promote self-exploration/change
- refrain from judgement and use accurate empathy, underlying attitude matters
- mindfulness and affirmation
Explain Zimring’s ideas and the 2 different contexts he described
Human being become persons through interaction with other persons which takes place within a particular culture
—> the self crystallizes and dissolves constantly in each moment of each new situation
1. Objective context = stressed in culture as significant —> “me”
2. Subjective context = having little real-world value —> “I” (= internal frame of reference)
What are 2 criticisms of Rogers’ theory
-
Too optimistic
- in the fact that self-actualization develops naturally under favorable circumstances —> behaviorists say person should be reinforced/corrected in learning process and if environment doesn’t provide this, self-actualization doesn’t ensue
- in the range of applicability of theory/methods to different people
- in the way it assumes innate good in people and does not stimulate change, it should point out negative consequences and the client’s responsibility for them more -
Too vague
- in lack of directivity and insufficient influence in modifying cognitive processes
- in the sense that its unclear about the way in which process of self-actualization is brought about
Explain the cognitive theory of experiencing (Wexler)
Says that we experience our world in an active way, person should be selective/discriminating about info and give it meaning (the way this is done is unique per person).
Feelings don’t occur by themselves and are linked to cognitive processes, they occur as a result of info processing.
What 3 aspects are important in info processing according to Wexler
- language; the way we express ourselves helps us to understand ourselves and others
- differentiation = refining beliefs/attitudes on the basis of incoming info
- integration = making connection between pieces of info/finding patterns
