1.18 Understand the basics of existential psychology

Existential Therapy

• Key Principles:

  • Psychological dysfunction and mental illness are viewed as nonexistent.

  • Life is seen as an expression of personal choices and living.

  • Focus on choices and the resulting anxieties, emphasizing the present (here-and-now).

• Goals:

  1. Increase awareness of personal goals, purpose, and responsibility.

  2. Accept freedom.

  3. Use normal anxiety to foster personal growth.

Logo Therapy (Viktor Frankl)

• Key Beliefs:

  1. Life has meaning in all circumstances, even during suffering.

  2. The primary motivation in life is finding meaning.

  3. Freedom exists in finding meaning through actions, experiences, or responses to suffering.

Self-Actualization (Abraham Maslow)

• Hierarchy of Needs:

  1. Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs (food, water, sex).

  2. Safety Needs: Security, order, and stability.

  3. Love and Belonging: Psychological needs to connect with family and friends.

  4. Esteem: Recognition and competence through success or status.

  5. Cognitive Needs: Intellectual stimulation and exploration.

  6. Aesthetic Needs: Desire for harmony, order, and beauty.

  7. Self-Actualization: Reaching full potential, harmony, self-confidence, and goal achievement.

Trait Theory (Gordon Allport)

• Three Types of Traits:

  1. Cardinal Traits: Rare, dominate an individual's life and personality.

  2. Central Traits: Common traits that influence behavior but do not dominate.

  3. Secondary Traits: Unique characteristics specific to the individual.

Multiple Choice Quiz

1. What is the focus of existential therapy?
   a. Diagnosing psychological disorders
   b. Exploring personal freedom and choices
   c. Analyzing past traumas
   d. Creating a structured plan for anxiety management

2. According to Viktor Frankl’s logo therapy, what is the main motivation for living?
   a. Achieving self-actualization
   b. Avoiding suffering
   c. Finding meaning in life
   d. Pursuing aesthetic goals

3. Which of the following is the highest level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
   a. Cognitive needs
   b. Esteem needs
   c. Self-actualization
   d. Aesthetic needs

4. What type of trait, according to Gordon Allport, dominates an individual's personality and behavior?
   a. Central trait
   b. Cardinal trait
   c. Secondary trait
   d. Core trait

5. In Maslow’s hierarchy, which level focuses on security, order, and stability?
   a. Love and belonging
   b. Safety needs
   c. Physiological needs
   d. Esteem needs

6. Which principle is not part of logo therapy?
   a. Freedom to find meaning in unchangeable suffering
   b. Life is meaningless under extreme circumstances
   c. The will to find meaning is the main motivation in life
   d. Life has meaning under all circumstances

7. What is the key focus of self-actualization in Maslow's theory?
   a. Establishing safety and stability
   b. Achieving one’s full potential and harmony
   c. Building relationships with family and friends
   d. Seeking intellectual stimulation

Answer Key

1. b. Exploring personal freedom and choices

2. c. Finding meaning in life

3. c. Self-actualization

4. b. Cardinal trait

5. b. Safety needs

6. b. Life is meaningless under extreme circumstances

7. b. Achieving one’s full potential and harmony

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