P8 - ClPy - Q6 - Describe Humanistic Existential model of psychotherapy compare and constrast with Psychoanalysis.
The humanistic approach was introduced in the 1940’s in the United States. It can be traced to Abraham Maslow as the founding father, but through time has become closely associated with Carl Rogers.
The humanistic and existential approach distinguishes itself from other therapeutic styles by including the importance of the client’s subjective experience, as well as a concern for positive growth rather than pathology.
The humanistic therapist accompanies/guides clients to free themselves from assumptions and positions that might be blocking them from living fuller lives.
The existentialist, on the other hand, is more interested in guiding/accompanying clients to find philosophical meaning while they face anxiety.
Humanistic Existential & Psychoanalysis Theory - Similarities
Both of the theories have been put under criticism.
They are both stating that personality development is all to do with individuals and how they satisfy their needs and wants instead of saying that it is all an external occurrence (McLeod, 2007).
both theories do involve the importance of sex in development.
Both theories bring forward the notion that individuals are at the forefront of development.
The psychoanalytic approach was criticized for the lack of empirical research as at the point of its development, there was not much prior research to refer to regarding personality psychology.
The humanistic approach has been criticized for being too ambiguous- it is not easily identifiable whether one has fulfilled a need or not and can vary from person-to-person (McLeod, 2007c).
Differences - Humanistic Existential & Psychoanalysis Theory
the psychoanalytic theory states that human nature is viewed in a very negative and pessimistic manner whilst the humanistic approach is more optimistic about human nature.
monster
In the psychoanalytic theory, humans are recognized as beings which have a selfish ‘monster’ inside of them which is actually simply a metaphor for the id. The id interacts with the pleasure principle solely and this is not really connected fully to reality.
the humanistic approach disregards the claims about the evilness of humans and rather focuses on their potential.
motivation
The humanists stated that motivation comes from trying to fulfil certain needs and by doing this, the personality develops.
The psychoanalytic theorists believed differently as they claimed that motivation comes from the wants of the id- usually sexual in nature.
Personality Development
Psychoanalytic theorists would suggest that development occurs through stages between infancy and adulthood due to psychosexual development as the sexual energy from the id moves from body part to body part.
the humanists believe that the personality will continue to develop throughout the life until they reach a point where self-actualization is achieved.
The Psychoanalytic Approach
This psychological approach was developed by Sigmund Freud (1956-1939) and is easily recognized due to its pessimistic view of human nature (Lahey, 2009) and the fact that it is claimed that personality structures are unconscious.
The instincts to which Freud refers to are either life instincts or death instincts. Life instincts are referred to as the libido and these are sexual instincts and those relating to self-preservation. Death instincts are linked to the aggression within humans. Freud claims that humans are all naturally very aggressive but the social rules and laws that are implemented are what actually stop us from acting out on our aggression (Larsen & Buss, 2012).
The conscious is referred to throughout Freud’s works and is that which we know at all times. These thoughts and feelings are easily accessible and thus do not require much effort (Comer et al., 2013).
The preconscious simply put, is the information that you could bring forward into the conscious mind. It contains mental content that needs to be focused on specifically in order to be analyzed. Only when the information is needed for something can it be brought into consciousness and used (Comer et al., 2013).
The unconscious is that which you are unaware of. More specifically, it is the level containing most of what is stored in our minds and we can only access it in rare, exceptional circumstances. Freud stressed that this part was one of the most important aspects of the development of a personality (Comer et al., 2013). Everything that goes into this category are the things that society does not seem fit to include and thus those unacceptable thoughts are locked away here (Larsen & Buss, 2012).
The mind works through the conflict of three factors- the id, ego superego (Comer et al., 2013)..
The id is completely unconscious and includes the instincts and libido (life instincts). The id is there simply to focus on one thing- the satisfaction of the physiological needs that one has. This works on reducing tension and maintaining a homeostatic level that one can live their best life possible with. The id operates on something called the pleasure principle- this means that the only things that will be done are those which bring the individuals themselves the feeling of pleasure.
The superego contrasts the id completely as it encompasses an internal moral code and a sense of right and wrong. Thus, it is greatly unlike the id since it is not inconsiderate. The self-control at this stage now comes from the threat of guilt and shame rather than the parental control which was previously there to keep one in check.
The ego is the mediator between the id and superego and is pressurized by these two factors as well as reality at an unconscious level (Comer et al., 2013). The ego aims to find a compromise or common standing that would allow both the id and superego to come to a decision which is most beneficial. If the ego cannot deal with the demands and conflict between the id and superego, anxiety becomes apparent.