May: Existential Psychology

Psychology of Personality

Lecture, Chapter 12

Overview of Existential Psychology

nExistential psychology emerged from the philosophy of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sarte, and others.

nThe existential psychology approach is based on clinical experience rather than research.

nIndividuals live in present experiences and are responsible for their development.

nIndividuals who lack courage to face their destiny flee from it, resulting in forfeiture of freedom and assumption of responsibility.

nFleeing from destiny results in sense of insignificance and alienation, whereas embracing destiny results in authentic living and cherishing their freedom.

Overview of May’s Life

nRollo May was born in Ada, Ohio, the oldest of six children in an intellectually and educationally humble family.

nMay traveled throughout Europe, painting pictures and studying native art, while holding a job tutoring English in Greece.

nAn emotional and physical breakdown led May to search for life’s meaning and begin to listen to his “inner voice.”

nA serious bought with tuberculosis led May to the realization that he had an proactive part in his physical health and in dealing with anxiety.

nAfter his recovery, he completed his PhD in clinical psychology from Columbia, wrote several books on existential psychology, and received numerous awards for his contributions to the field.

What is Existentialism?

nExistence takes precedence over essence.

nExistentialism opposes the split between subject and object.

nPeople search for some meaning to their lives.

nUltimately, people are responsible for who they are and what they become.

nAntitheoretical; theories dehumanize people and render them as objects.

Basic Concepts

nBeing-in-the-World incorporates the basic unity of person and environment.

–Isolation from the world manifests itself as

§Separation from nature

§Lack of meaningful interpersonal relations

§Alienation from authentic self

–Unity with self and the world involves understanding of how we relate to the world; necessary in psychological health

nNonbeing involves the understanding and acceptance of our “not being,” or death.

Anxiety

nFreedom and anxiety must coexist.

nNormal anxiety

nNeurotic anxiety

Guilt and Intentionality

nGuilt is ontological and results from failure to accurately perceive the needs of others, and remain oblivious to their dependence on the natural world.

nIntentionality gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future.

Care, Love, and Will

nLove: a delight in the presence of another person and affirming of value and development as much as one’s own.

nWill: the capacity to organize one’s self so that movement in a certain direction or toward a certain goal may take place.

Forms of Love

nSex

nEros

nPhilia

nAgape

nHealthy adult relationships involve combinations of all 4 forms, involving sexual satisfaction, desire for enduring union, genuine friendship, and unselfish concern for the welfare of the other person.

Freedom and Destiny

nHealthy individuals are able both to assume their freedom and face their destiny.

nFreedom involves the possibility of change

–Existential freedom

–Essential freedom

nDestiny involves our destination.

nDestiny and freedom are paradoxical.

nStories that unify a society, to bring meaning to life.

nOedipus story:

–Birth

–Separation or exile from parents and home

–Sexual union with one parent and hostility toward the other

–Assertion of independence and the search for identity

–death

nComparable to Jung’s idea of collective unconscious

Psychopathology and Psychotherapy

nPsychopathology results from denial of destiny and abandonment of myths; results in apathy, emptiness, and lack of direction.

–Inability to know others and share oneself

–Can result in physical symptoms

nPurpose: to set people free.

–Establishing one-on-one relationship with client

–Partly religion, partly science, and partly friendship.

Conclusion

nDid May use science in his theory development? Was his theory able to generate research, be falsified, organize data, guide action, be internally consistent, and be parsimonious?

nWhere does Existential Psychology fall on the basic issues concerning the nature of humanity?

–Determinism vs. free choice

–Pessimism vs. optimism

–Causality vs. teleology

–Conscious vs. unconscious

–Social vs. biological influences

–Uniqueness vs. similarities