Week 3 - Existential Flashcards

1
Q

Psychology’s Focus (,maslow)

A

The science of Psychology has been far more successful on the negative than on the positive side. It has revealed to us much about men’s shortcomings, his illness, his sins, but little about his potentialities, his virtues, his achievable aspirations, his full psychological height. It is as if Psychology has voluntarily restricted itself to only half its rightful jurisdiction, and that, the darker, meaner half.” (Maslow, 1954, p.354).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Humanistic Theories

A

Take a positive and optimistic view of humanity.
There is a focus on what the best is that humans can be, and on strengths rather than weaknesses.
All stress the importance of choice, personal responsibility and values.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Humanistic Theories

A

Humanistic psychology is evident as a basis for the new movement referred to as “Positive Psychology”, which also focuses on strengths, optimal functioning, resilience, and attainment and maintenance of Happiness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Existential Therapies

A

EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY is a DYNAMIC approach to therapy which focuses on concerns that are rooted in the individual’s existence.

Dynamic model in terms of forces being in conflict with one another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Dynamic Conflict

A

FREUD: DRIVE → ANXIETY → DEFENSE MECHANISM

EXISTENTIAL:
AWARENESS OF ULTIMATE CONCERN → ANXIETY → DEFENSE MECHANISM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Who’s theories?

A

DEEPER approach to conceptualisation which emphasizes the assumptions underlying all systems of psychotherapy - thus a philosophy.
EG: SATRE (bad faith), NIETZSHE (resilience), MAY (love), YALOM (givens of life)
FRANKL. (Quote from “Man’s Search for Meaning”).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

KEY CONCEPTS

A

Normal (angst) vs. Neurotic Anxiety (excessive, repressed, stuck) – requires courage to change
Uncertainty / Ambiguity
Authentic vs. Inauthentic
Deep vs. Superficial
Self-awareness
Human capacity to transcend the immediate situation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

KEY CONCEPTS 2

A

Self-awareness:
Decide to change something, avoid it, or accept I; and take responsibility for decisions. If not choose / take responsibility → stuck + external blame.
Deal with the “givens of life”.
Human capacity to transcend the immediate situation – push to be our best.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

KEY CONCEPTS 3 - keyz

A

Self-awareness:
Decide to change something, avoid it, or accept I; and take responsibility for decisions. If not choose / take responsibility → stuck + external blame.
Deal with the “givens of life”.
Human capacity to transcend the immediate situation – push to be our best.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

THE GIVENS OF LIFE (Yalom):

A
Forces in Conflict – inescapable truths:
Life and Death:  Death Anxiety
Freedom and Responsibility
Isolation and intimacy
Meaningfulness and Meaninglessness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

THE GIVENS OF LIFE 2

A
  1. Freedom and Responsibility:
    Can’t be free if don’t take responsibility for own life.
    “Bad Faith” – blaming others, wanting to remain the victim.
    Make decisions, take responsibility.
    Example re flight.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The givens of life 3

A

We are ultimately alone, but want to merge.
Interpersonal isolation: gulf between oneself & others
Intrapersonal Isolation: isolated from parts of ourselves.
Fusion: being in love, belonging to a group etc – defends against fear of aloneness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The givens of life 4

A

Meaninglessness vs Meaningfulness
Life ultimately has no meaning, but humans need meaning, so how do we give our lives meaning?
The only way to get meaning is through
Engagement.
Most effective: giving to others. Selfish life feels meaningless

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Exercise

A

In Pairs discuss:
Which of the 4 givens do you find most challenging / are most avoidant of.
How do you tend to defend against the anxiety this provokes.
Examples of when you were courageous in the face of one or more of the givens in life.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

THERAPEUTIC GOALS

A

Accept Freedom and accompanying Responsibility.
Recognise how not living fully and authentically, and make choices to do so. “Carpe Dium” – Seize the Day.
Increase self-awareness, mindfulness.
Desist “victim” role, take back own life.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

A

Commitment to dealing with problems of living, rather than just waiting for solutions to symptoms.
Searching for Meaning – want something more; to live fully.
Prepared to take Responsibility for their lives.
Curious; open-minded

17
Q

PROCESS OF THERAPY

A

Focus areas: ANXIETY, DEFENSES, AWARENESS, COPING
Focused in the PRESENT
Therapeutic Relationship is central
Respectful
Autonomy encouraged
Engagement very important; being fully present
Authenticity, Courage (MODELLING)

18
Q

Process of Therapy: Steps

A

Help the client become aware of the choices they are making and how this effects their life
Encourage the client to face the givens of existence that they may be avoiding
Help clients become aware of the negative effects of their defensive thoughts / behaviours

19
Q

Process of Therapy: Steps 2

A

Help them find adaptive ways of facing anxiety fuelled by the givens
Encourage clients to take responsibility for their lives and to make active choices regarding their situations; to be brave.

20
Q

AREAS OF APPLICATION

A

Assuming Responsibility e.g. relationships, Mid-life crises, jobs.
Crises or Turning Points or Developmental Points.
Anxiety / Depressions re Life situation.
Grief and Loss (for Self or Others)
Identity Issues
Dissatisfaction, Stuck
Lack of Priorities or Direction
Addictions (filling the void)

21
Q

Interventions / Techniques

A

Challenging / Questioning
Using the emotions generated by facing issues to become more insightful and to reduce anxiety through exposure
Conversational
Using the alliance to model authenticity and the positives of being real
Encouraging “re-writing your life”, “living fully”

22
Q

Interventions / Techniques 2

A

Themes of existential anxiety and guilt
Meaning focus
Values
Pay attention to how client self-deceives
Paradoxes, e.g. life is richer because we know it will end
Dreams

23
Q

Qualities of effective Therapists

A

Personal Maturity: open-minded, tolerate ambiguity, have explored their own anxiety regarding givens, curious.
Empathic and Authentic
Optimistic but realistic
Excellent microskills + alliance building

24
Q

Apply this to Zac

A
36 year old male
Married to Sue (34)
2 children (Matt = 5; Gabbie = 3.5)
Successful CEO 
Parents both alive, separated
Healthy, sporty, fit
25
Q

Zac again

A
  • Presented: having an affair with Libby, PA in his office. Feeling torn between wife and mistress – the latter is putting pressure on him to leave his wife.
26
Q

Zac again 2

A

Feeling very stressed, some mood swings. Avoidant of getting in touch with emotions.
Cognitions: believes others expect too much from him and are not supportive / considerate enough, that he always has to carry the brunt of things.
Behaviour: stays very busy, reactive & short towards others.

27
Q

LIMITATIONS AND CRITICISMS

A

Degree of Abstraction
Type of Client – possible restrictions
Cultural Issue: based on belief of internal Locus of Control
Possibility for Choice – how restricted is this? (Frankl)