The Humanist Theory And Existential Theory

The humanistic approach is characterized as a theory containing 4 specific places of emphasis; personal responsibility, the ‘here and now’, the experience off the individual and personal growth (Burger, 2015). While existential theory places emphasis on the human condition as a whole. Frankl’s existential theory focused on 3 concepts, free will, will to meaning, and the meaning of life (Batthyany, n.d.). Each puts significant importance on the individual to cultivate their own path of improvement. Although the existential and humanistic theory appear seamlessly entwined, there are some differences that appear upon further evaluation. Carl Roger’s was a humanistic theorist who was the first to focus on a ‘patient-centered’ form of therapy

Maslow sought to fill in the left behind by Freud’s dismal outlook on the human experience by evaluating our needs, from basic to sought after, to create the chart showing one the process of achieving self-actualization. Maslow’s article, Psychological Data and Human Values mentions the study of free will, which is an important part of the existential theory. Maslow explains that when given the choice of free will there are those who are ‘good choosers’ and ‘bad choosers’. “Good choosers can choose better for the bad choosers than they can choose for themselves” (Maslow, 1962). It goes on to discuss the basic needs of each individual as explained by his hierarchy of needs having from the largest place in the pyramid to the smallest: psychological needs, safety needs, belonging needs, esteem needs, and lastly, self-actualization. So few reach the level of self-actualization, maybe one in two hundred, with no real applicable reason why (Maslow, 1962). The article speaks at length of the disillusionment of individuals today, turning to the battle between good and evil to explain the human condition instead of viewing the problem through a lens of psychotherapy. Applicable even today, any individual willing to take the step to enter a course of treatment through therapy can embrace a healthier lifestyle and move

“In Logotherapy/Existential Analysis (LETA) the search for the meaning of life is identified as the primary motivational force inhuman beings” (Betthyany, n.d.). Unlike Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, existentialism is not focused on the process of needs that allows one to achieve self-actualization. Also, unlike Roger’s, existentialism is not focused on the individual’s relationship with themselves and their ability to make decisions. Instead, existentialism is focused on the meaning of life and the reality of death. In Frankl’s article, Logotherapy and Existentialism, he speaks to the fact that his theory does not focus on the technique of therapy rather than an interpersonal relationship between patient and therapist (Frankl, 1967). It is important that the client be seen as an individual capable of more than they currently offer in order to reach a state in which they will offer more. “Psychotherapy is more than technique in that it is art, and goes beyond pure science in that it is wisdom” (Frankl, 1967). It goes on to explain how his beliefs on existentialism is not a replacement for Freud’s earlier adaptations, but rather an expansion identifying man’s understanding of self to be the end all be all of psychotherapy. Today we are able to use Frankl’s theory to push ourselves forward into a new sense of being. Finding personal understanding will allow us to push the boundaries of who we currently are to express who