© 2013 w. w. norton & company, inc. experience, existence, and the meaning of life: humanistic...

© 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Experience, Existence, and the Meaning of Life: Humanistic and Positive

Psychology

Experience, Existence, and the Meaning of Life: Humanistic and Positive

Psychology

1

ObjectivesObjectives

Discuss the main issues of humanistic psychology Phenomenology Existentialsim

Discuss positive psychology Discuss the implications of

phenomenology

Discuss the main issues of humanistic psychology Phenomenology Existentialsim

Discuss positive psychology Discuss the implications of

phenomenology

2© 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

PsychologyPsychology

The object of its scrutiny is also the one doing the scrutinizing.

The human mind is aware, and when it knows it is being studied, it has an effect.

The object of its scrutiny is also the one doing the scrutinizing.

The human mind is aware, and when it knows it is being studied, it has an effect.

Humanistic PsychologyHumanistic Psychology

To understand a person, you must understand his/her unique view of reality.

The way you experience the world is the most important psychological fact about you

If everybody’s view of the world is different, which one is right? What is reality?

To understand a person, you must understand his/her unique view of reality.

The way you experience the world is the most important psychological fact about you

If everybody’s view of the world is different, which one is right? What is reality?


Phenomenology: Phenomenology:

One’s conscious experience of the world; everything a person hears, feels, and thinks

Reality exists, but personal perception and awareness is more important Free will: if the past is gone, the future is

not here yet, we can choose what to think, feel, and do

One’s conscious experience of the world; everything a person hears, feels, and thinks

Reality exists, but personal perception and awareness is more important Free will: if the past is gone, the future is

not here yet, we can choose what to think, feel, and do


PhenomenologyPhenomenology

“We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.” –Talmud

“It is not things in themselves that trouble us, but our opinions of them.” –Epictetus

“I do not react to some absolute reality, but to my perception of this reality. It is this perception which for me is reality.” –Carl Rogers

“We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.” –Talmud

“It is not things in themselves that trouble us, but our opinions of them.” –Epictetus

“I do not react to some absolute reality, but to my perception of this reality. It is this perception which for me is reality.” –Carl Rogers

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Phenomenology Phenomenology

Construal: a person’s particular experience of the world Everyone’s is different. Form the basis of how

you live your life Free will is achieved by

choosing your construal.

Construal: a person’s particular experience of the world Everyone’s is different. Form the basis of how

you live your life Free will is achieved by

choosing your construal.


ExistentialismExistentialism

A reaction against rationalism, science, and the industrial revolution

Purpose: regain contact with the experience of being alive and aware

Key questions: What is the nature of existence? And what does it mean?

A reaction against rationalism, science, and the industrial revolution

Purpose: regain contact with the experience of being alive and aware

Key questions: What is the nature of existence? And what does it mean?

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Existentialism Existentialism

Existential anxiety: the unpleasant feeling caused by contemplating the meaning of life and how one should spend one’s time, causing: Anguish Forlornness Despair

Existential anxiety: the unpleasant feeling caused by contemplating the meaning of life and how one should spend one’s time, causing: Anguish Forlornness Despair


Existentialism: Bad FaithExistentialism: Bad Faith

Our moral imperative to face existential anxiety and seek purpose in spite of these emotions Requires existential courage or optimistic

toughness BUT people can avoid this

Living in bad faith

Our moral imperative to face existential anxiety and seek purpose in spite of these emotions Requires existential courage or optimistic

toughness BUT people can avoid this

Living in bad faith


Living in Bad Faith: ResearchLiving in Bad Faith: Research

Most people would rather live a meaningful life than be wealthy

Experiences promote happiness more than possessions

Most people would rather live a meaningful life than be wealthy

Experiences promote happiness more than possessions


Top 5 Regrets People make on their Deathbed

Top 5 Regrets People make on their Deathbed

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

The Alternative?Authentic Existence

The Alternative?Authentic Existence

Coming to terms with existence; being honest, insightful, and morally correct

However, this will not relieve loneliness and unhappiness The essence of the human experience:

understanding that you must die Ask “What does life want from me?”

instead of “What do I want from life?”

Coming to terms with existence; being honest, insightful, and morally correct

However, this will not relieve loneliness and unhappiness The essence of the human experience:

understanding that you must die Ask “What does life want from me?”

instead of “What do I want from life?”

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ExistentialismExistentialism

BUT existentialism is based on the Western focus on the individual and the difficulty of finding meaning in life.

BUT existentialism is based on the Western focus on the individual and the difficulty of finding meaning in life.

The Eastern AlternativeThe Eastern Alternative

Existentialism is fundamentally wrong. The self is an illusion and this illusion is harmful. True nature of reality is that everyone and

everything are interconnected now, and across time.

Suggests immortality (we are part of something larger that will last forever).

Promotes caring for others the same as for yourself

Existentialism is fundamentally wrong. The self is an illusion and this illusion is harmful. True nature of reality is that everyone and

everything are interconnected now, and across time.

Suggests immortality (we are part of something larger that will last forever).

Promotes caring for others the same as for yourself


Enter Humanism in Psychology…

Enter Humanism in Psychology…

Beginning in the 1940s Reaction to

Psychoanalytic and Behaviourist theories

Mixed existential philosophy, Eastern views of the self and American optimism

Beginning in the 1940s Reaction to

Psychoanalytic and Behaviourist theories

Mixed existential philosophy, Eastern views of the self and American optimism

Optimistic HumanismOptimistic Humanism

Began with existential assumptions Phenomenology is central. People have free will.

Added another crucial idea People are basically good.

Began with existential assumptions Phenomenology is central. People have free will.

Added another crucial idea People are basically good.


Self-Actualization: RogersSelf-Actualization: Rogers

People have a basic need to actualize Maintain and enhance their

own experience

Goal of existence is to achieve actualization (reach your full potential)

People have a basic need to actualize Maintain and enhance their

own experience

Goal of existence is to achieve actualization (reach your full potential)


The Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow

The Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow

Agreed with the basic assumption: The ultimate need or motive is to self-actualize.

BUT can only do this if basic needs are met

Hierarchy of needs: how human motivation is characterized

Agreed with the basic assumption: The ultimate need or motive is to self-actualize.

BUT can only do this if basic needs are met

Hierarchy of needs: how human motivation is characterized


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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

© 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

The Hierarchy of NeedsThe Hierarchy of Needs

Practical applications Career choice Employee motivation Understand happiness

in different cultures

Practical applications Career choice Employee motivation Understand happiness

in different cultures


The Fully Functioning PersonThe Fully Functioning Person

People who self-actualize Be clearly aware of reality and yourself Face the world without fear, self-doubt,

or neurotic defenses

People who self-actualize Be clearly aware of reality and yourself Face the world without fear, self-doubt,

or neurotic defenses


The Fully Functioning Person


1. Open to experience: both positive and negative emotions accepted.

2. Existential living: living for the moment.

3. Trust feelings: trust ourselves to make the right choices.

4. Creativity: creative thinking and risk taking

5. Fulfilled life: person is happy

1. Open to experience: both positive and negative emotions accepted.

2. Existential living: living for the moment.

3. Trust feelings: trust ourselves to make the right choices.

4. Creativity: creative thinking and risk taking

5. Fulfilled life: person is happy



Importance of unconditional positive regard is where parents/ caregivers accept and love

the person for what he or she is. Freedom to make mistakes

Conditions of worth praise and approval depends on behaving in

ways that are considered correct. Limits your freedom to act and think

Importance of unconditional positive regard is where parents/ caregivers accept and love

the person for what he or she is. Freedom to make mistakes

Conditions of worth praise and approval depends on behaving in

ways that are considered correct. Limits your freedom to act and think

Humanism: PsychotherapyHumanism: Psychotherapy

Goal: help the client become a fully functioning person

The therapist develops a genuine and caring relationship with the client and provides unconditional positive regard.

Goal: help the client become a fully functioning person

The therapist develops a genuine and caring relationship with the client and provides unconditional positive regard.


Humanism: PsychotherapyHumanism: Psychotherapy

Jobs of the therapist Help the client perceive her own thoughts and

feelings Make the client feel appreciated

Goals Allow insight Remove conditions of worth https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m30jsZx_Ngs

Jobs of the therapist Help the client perceive her own thoughts and

feelings Make the client feel appreciated

Goals Allow insight Remove conditions of worth https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m30jsZx_Ngs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m30jsZx_Ngs




Flow: CsikszentmihalyiFlow: Csikszentmihalyi

The best way a person can spend time is doing activities that are enjoyable for their own sake.

Flow Tremendous concentration, total lack of

distractibility, and thoughts concerning only the activity at hand

Mood that is slightly elevated Time seems to pass very quickly.

The best way a person can spend time is doing activities that are enjoyable for their own sake.

Flow Tremendous concentration, total lack of

distractibility, and thoughts concerning only the activity at hand

Mood that is slightly elevated Time seems to pass very quickly.


Positive PsychologyPositive Psychology

Health means more than the absence of disease.

Traditional psychology overemphasizes psychopathology and malfunction and ignores positive phenomenon.

Health means more than the absence of disease.

Traditional psychology overemphasizes psychopathology and malfunction and ignores positive phenomenon.


Positive PsychologyPositive Psychology

Goal: improve quality of life and prevent pathologies

Investigates the traits, processes, and social institutions that promote a happy and meaningful life

Goal: improve quality of life and prevent pathologies

Investigates the traits, processes, and social institutions that promote a happy and meaningful life


HappinessHappiness

True happiness comes from overcoming important challenges and building relationships

Avoiding unproductive rumination of negative events

Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky

True happiness comes from overcoming important challenges and building relationships

Avoiding unproductive rumination of negative events

Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky

The Implications of Phenomenology


Conscious experience cannot be explained by science and is difficult to describe in words.






Reminds us of the mystery of human awareness and experience








Teaches us the only way to truly understand a person is to comprehend that persons unique view of reality (construals)



Teaches us the only way to truly understand a person is to comprehend that persons unique view of reality (construals)




Discourages judgmental attitudes Consequence: cultural and moral

relativism Do not judge the values and practices

of other cultures from the perspective of your own.

Discourages judgmental attitudes Consequence: cultural and moral

relativism Do not judge the values and practices

of other cultures from the perspective of your own.


© 2013 w. w. norton & company, inc. experience, existence, and the meaning of life: humanistic...

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