Humanistic psychology contrasts sharply with psychodynamic theory. In the theories of Maslow, May, and Rogers, the concepts of choice, free will, freedom, self-actualization, and human potential are foundational. These theorists looked for what is unique in each human. They were optimistic and concerned with both conscious and unconscious aspects of the human psyche.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
Pick one of these concepts to define and explore. Use your textbook. Describe how the theorist used the terms and give an example.
Freedom and Destiny (Rollo May)
Stages of Therapeutic Change (Carl Rogers)
The Jonah Complex (Abraham Maslow)
May argued that a healthy, authentic life involves embracing this paradox. It's about recognizing the parts of ourselves that are determined by destiny while exercising our freedom to choose how we respond to those circumstances. An example would be a person born with a physical disability (destiny). While they cannot change this, they have the freedom to choose how they will live their life. They can choose to give in to despair or to creatively adapt, pursuing a fulfilling life despite their limitations. In this way, they fulfill their destiny by using their freedom. May's view is that we cannot have one without the other, and that a lack of balance leads to anxiety, neurosis, and a feeling of being inauthentic.May argued that a healthy, authentic life involves embracing this paradox. It's about recognizing the parts of ourselves that are determined by destiny while exercising our freedom to choose how we respond to those circumstances. An example would be a person born with a physical disability (destiny). While they cannot change this, they have the freedom to choose how they will live their life. They can choose to give in to despair or to creatively adapt, pursuing a fulfilling life despite their limitations. In this way, they fulfill their destiny by using their freedom. May's view is that we cannot have one without the other, and that a lack of balance leads to anxiety, neurosis, and a feeling of being inauthentic.
Sample Answer
Freedom and Destiny (Rollo May)
In Rollo May's humanistic theory, freedom and destiny are two sides of the same coin, a fundamental paradox that defines human existence. Freedom is not simply a lack of external constraints; it is the capacity to pause, reflect, and choose one's response to the world. It is the ability to shape one's life and be accountable for one's actions. May argued that this freedom comes with responsibility and can be a source of anxiety, as it means we are responsible for the choices we make.
Destiny, on the other hand, represents the elements of our lives that we cannot control. This includes our genetics, our family background, the historical era we are born into, and the physical and psychological limitations we might possess. Destiny is not fate; May distinguished the two by explaining that while fate is an unchangeable path, destiny is a given set of circumstances that we must creatively engage with.