Briefly discuss two examples of each of the following categories of therapy: behavior, cog nitive/cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic-experiential.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Examples of Therapy Approaches
Therapy encompasses a wide range of approaches aimed at promoting mental health and well-being. In this essay, we will briefly discuss two examples of each of the following categories of therapy: behavior therapy, cognitive/cognitive-behavioral therapy, and humanistic-experiential therapy.
Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy focuses on modifying behaviors that are maladaptive or causing distress. It operates on the principle that behaviors are learned and can be unlearned or replaced with healthier alternatives through various techniques.
Classical Conditioning: Classical conditioning is a behavior therapy technique that was pioneered by Ivan Pavlov. It aims to modify behaviors by associating a neutral stimulus with a naturally occurring stimulus that elicits a response. An example of classical conditioning is using systematic desensitization to treat phobias. By gradually exposing individuals to their feared object or situation while maintaining relaxation techniques, they can learn to associate the once-feared stimulus with feelings of relaxation rather than fear.
Operant Conditioning: Operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, focuses on modifying behaviors through rewards and punishments. One example of operant conditioning is applied behavior analysis (ABA), widely used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. ABA utilizes positive reinforcement to teach and reinforce desired behaviors while minimizing or eliminating problematic behaviors. By systematically reinforcing desired behaviors, individuals with autism can learn new skills and reduce challenging behaviors.
Cognitive/Cognitive-behavioral Therapy
Cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapies emphasize the role of thoughts, beliefs, and cognitive processes in shaping emotions and behaviors. These therapies aim to identify and challenge negative or irrational thinking patterns and replace them with more adaptive thoughts and beliefs.
Cognitive Restructuring: Cognitive restructuring is a core technique in cognitive therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative or distorted thinking patterns. By challenging irrational thoughts and replacing them with more realistic and balanced ones, cognitive restructuring promotes healthier emotions and behaviors. This approach is effective in treating various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy is a cognitive-behavioral technique used to treat anxiety disorders, specifically phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It involves gradually exposing individuals to their feared stimuli or traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner. Through repeated exposure, individuals learn that their fears do not materialize and develop new associations that reduce anxiety or distress.
Humanistic-Experiential Therapy
Humanistic-experiential therapies emphasize personal growth, self-actualization, and the belief in individuals’ inherent capacity for positive change. These therapies focus on self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the importance of subjective experiences.
Person-Centered Therapy: Person-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, places emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and creating a safe and accepting environment for the client. The therapist provides empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness, allowing the client to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. Person-centered therapy fosters self-exploration, self-acceptance, and personal growth.
Gestalt Therapy: Gestalt therapy encourages individuals to focus on their present experience and take responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions. This approach aims to integrate fragmented aspects of the self and promote self-awareness. Techniques in gestalt therapy include role-playing, empty chair technique, and focusing on bodily sensations, all aimed at enhancing self-awareness and facilitating personal growth.
Conclusion
Behavior therapy focuses on modifying behaviors through techniques such as classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Cognitive/cognitive-behavioral therapy targets maladaptive thoughts and beliefs through techniques like cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy. Humanistic-experiential therapy emphasizes personal growth, self-acceptance, and self-awareness through approaches like person-centered therapy and gestalt therapy.
It is important to note that these examples provide only a brief overview of each therapy approach. Each approach encompasses a vast range of techniques and variations that can be tailored to meet individual needs. Therapists often integrate different approaches based on the specific goals and challenges of their clients to provide effective and personalized treatment.
