Rollo May: Existential Psychology

Question 1

elements of existentialism

Answer 1

1. individuals are responsible for who they are and what they will become
2. existence takes precedence over essence
3. theories dehumanize and objectify personal experiences
4. stress the people’s search for meaning in their lives
5. against artificial split of subject (us, an individual) and objects (the world around us)

Question 2

two basic concepts of existentialism

Answer 2

1. Being-in-the-world or Dasein

2. Nonbeing or Nothingness

Question 3

It refers to the basic unity of the person and the environment

Answer 3

Being-in-the-world or Dasein

Question 4

Umwelt refers to _____

Answer 4

the environment around us

Question 5

Mitwelt refers to _____

Answer 5

our relations with other people

Question 6

Eigenwelt refers to _____

Answer 6

authentic relationship with oneself

Question 7

Alienation manifests itself in three areas:

Answer 7

1. separation from nature
2. lack of meaningful interpersonal relations
3. alienation from authentic self

Question 8

three simultaneous modes of being-in-the-world

Answer 8

Umwelt
Mitwelt
Eigenwelt

Question 9

the result of awareness of ones existence or being

Answer 9

nonbeing or nothingness

Question 10

the result of acquisition of freedom

Answer 10

anxiety

Question 11

anxiety resulted from growth or changing one’s value; does not involve repression or distortion; can be confronted constructively on the conscious level

Answer 11

normal anxiety

Question 12

anxiety that involves repression and other forms of intrapsychic conflicts

Answer 12

neurotic anxiety

Question 13

it arises when people deny their potentialities, lack meaningful interpersonal relation, and remain oblivious to their dependence on the natural world

Answer 13

guilt

Question 14

this type of ontological guilt is the result of our separation from nature

Answer 14

separation guilt or Umwelt

Question 15

this form of ontological guilt stems from our inability to perceive accurately the world of others

Answer 15

Mitwelt

Question 16

this form of ontological guilt is associated with our denial of our own potentialities or failure to fulfill them

Answer 16

eigenwelt

Question 17

the structure that allows us to give meaning to our experience and to make decisions about future

Answer 17

intentionality

Question 18

the active regard for someone’s development

Answer 18

care

Question 19

delight of other person’s development and affirming their development and values as one’s own

Answer 19

love

Question 20

the ability to organize oneself so that the movement toward a direction or particular aim or goal may take place

Answer 20

will

Question 21

form of love that pertains to the biological need to engage in a sexual intercourse

Answer 21

sex

Question 22

form of love that involves a psychological desire to seek procreation or creation through enduring union with a loved one

Answer 22

eros

Question 23

form of love that refers to the nonsexual relationship between people

Answer 23

philia

Question 24

altruistic and unconditional love

Answer 24

agape

Question 25

the individual capacity to know that he is the determined one, an understanding of our own destiny

Answer 25

freedom

Question 26

freedom of action

Answer 26

existential freedom

Question 27

freedom of being

Answer 27

essential freedom

Question 28

refers to the possibility of nonbeing, death, and include ones biological and environmental limitations

Answer 28

destiny

Question 29

conscious and unconscious belief system that provides explanation of our personal and social problems

Answer 29

myths

Question 30

According to May, the two levels of communications are:

Answer 30

1. rationalistic language

2. myths

Question 31

According to May, the origins of psychopathology are:

Answer 31

• alienation
• emptiness
• apathy
• lack of communication, the inability to know others and to share oneself with them