Humanistic And Existential Theory

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Humanistic and Existential Theory Derek August 16, 2010 Humanistic and Existential Theory The writer of this paper will examine the similarities of humanistic and existential theories. Humanistic and existential theories see humans as possessing the ability to make choices of possessing free will. Basic needs and natural drives exist within the belief system of humanistic and existential perspectives. The writer will examine the humanistic disposition first. Humanistic Disposition The humanists look at the aspects of human behavior and how it pertains to personality. The belief exists with humanist that natural drives exist within individuals to promote motivation and growth. Individuals are conscious beings not driven by needs or the unconscious to fulfill needs. Existing as conscious individuals gives person’s freedom to make choices on a conscious level. The subjective view of an individual’s world is more important to the humanist than the individual’s objective view of reality. Two prominent humanistic theorists were Carl Rogers and Abram Maslow. Humanist Carl Rogers person-centered approach is widely used in therapy. Carl Rogers’s view of giving patients a warm, empathetic, nonjudgmental atmosphere produces a conducing environment for the patient’s natural responses of growth. The basic premise of humanistic psychology is individuals possess a natural capacity for growth. Although Carl Rogers stress that a person’s self-concept can be distorted, qualities of self-concept are beliefs about one’s nature, typical behavior and uniqueness within each individual. Rogers’s belief was to provide a relationship with the patient that includes three aspects: 1) responding to feelings not content, 2) accept the individual’s feelings, 3) clarifying the patient’s feelings. Once the individual is comfortable in the relationship growth will
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