Discuss the role the actualizing tendency plays in the non-directive nature of Person-Centered Therapy, and describe each of the three Core Conditions in Person-Centered Therapy. Then, argue for or against the following philosophy of Person-Centered Therapy: The three core conditions are sufficient, by themselves, for creating change in a client.
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
The Actualizing Tendency in Person-Centered Therapy
Introduction
Person-Centered Therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a humanistic approach that emphasizes the actualizing tendency, which is the innate drive within individuals to strive towards self-fulfillment and personal growth. This essay will explore the role of the actualizing tendency in the non-directive nature of Person-Centered Therapy and delve into the three core conditions that are essential for facilitating therapeutic change. Furthermore, it will critically analyze the philosophy that the three core conditions alone are sufficient for creating change in a client.
Role of the Actualizing Tendency
The actualizing tendency is a central concept in Person-Centered Therapy, highlighting the belief that individuals possess the capacity for self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Rogers posited that given the right conditions, individuals can move towards self-actualization, a state of congruence between their ideal and actual selves. The therapist’s role is to create a safe and nurturing environment that enables clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment or interpretation. By tapping into the client’s actualizing tendency, therapy focuses on facilitating self-discovery and promoting personal development.
The Three Core Conditions
1. Unconditional Positive Regard
Unconditional positive regard involves the therapist offering genuine acceptance, respect, and understanding towards the client without any conditions or judgment. This core condition creates a supportive and empathetic atmosphere where clients feel valued and free to express themselves without fear of rejection.
2. Empathy
Empathy is the ability of the therapist to understand and appreciate the client’s perspective, feelings, and experiences. By demonstrating empathy, the therapist establishes a deep connection with the client, fostering trust and emotional openness essential for therapeutic progress.
3. Congruence (Genuineness)
Congruence refers to the therapist’s authenticity and transparency in the therapeutic relationship. By being genuine and sincere in their interactions, therapists model honesty and self-awareness, encouraging clients to engage in a similar manner.
The Philosophy of Sufficiency of Core Conditions
The philosophy that the three core conditions are adequate for creating change in a client is a topic of debate within the field of psychology. While the core conditions are fundamental to establishing a therapeutic alliance and promoting self-exploration, they may not be sufficient on their own to address complex psychological issues or deep-seated traumas. Clients with severe mental health concerns or significant emotional distress may require additional interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral techniques or medication management.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the actualizing tendency serves as the driving force behind personal growth in Person-Centered Therapy, while the three core conditions play a crucial role in fostering a supportive and empowering therapeutic environment. While these conditions are essential for facilitating change, they may not be comprehensive enough to address all client needs independently. Integrating other therapeutic approaches or interventions based on individual client requirements can enhance the effectiveness of Person-Centered Therapy and promote holistic well-being.
