Sam Gibbs's Archive

Carl Rogers

4 Commentsby   |  05.02.11  |  The Schools of Psychology (Part IV)

If i had to pick my favorite class day of the year or at least the most interesting, I would probably pick today. I was first intrigued when one of my favorite movies, “Good Will Hunting” was  the opening for today’s class. I absolutely love this movie, and even chose to critique it for my movie critique essay. It was interesting to get someone else’s perspective on the movie, and to see how it differed from mine. I myself saw Sean’s methods as a form of Rogerian therapy, but could not quite put my finger on the other therapy he seemed to be drawing from until today. It was interesting to hear about how the math professor wanted to project his life upon Will, but was afraid that Sean was trying to project his failures onto Will. The math professor almost saw it as a slap to the face that Will would throw away his genius intelligence in order to be a construction worker with his friends. Sean on the other hand identifies with Will more and understands that if you push him to do what you want him to do, then he is just going to run away. It was also cool to see how Sean used Rogerian therapy, especially his genuineness. He real talked Will during their first session. Instead of holding back the way he felt, Sean actually at one point grabbed Will by the neck and let him know I am going to be completely open and honest to you, and you do the same. I like how the movie employs this Rogerian therapy, but I also understand that the therapy is really just beginning when Will is told “it’s not his fault”.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

0 Commentsby   |  02.21.11  |  Renaissance/Premodern (Part II)

He has some very interesting philosophies that made me think twice about things. One of the ones I enjoyed and related to the most was the one about private property. He believes that the first person that stepped foot on a piece of land and proclaimed this is my property and my property only was a source of evil. He believes that many lives could have been spared if people would have and could just learn to share instead of saying mine mine mine all the time. Think about it, do you not feel better when you give someone something or share with someone then you do saying no that’s mine and you cannot have it. He expands on this more by talking about how if everyone used utilitarianism and cared more about the benefit of the whole than just themselves then the world would be a better place. I have to say for the most part I agree with him on this, even though I know I struggle with this constantly every day. I have to start learning that I cannot just have it my way all the time and look at life from others’ point of view instead of just relying on my own personal experiences.

Aristotle: happiness

2 Commentsby   |  02.02.11  |  Pre-Renaissance (Part I)

“Happiness for Aristotle was about doing what is natural because doing so fulfills one’s purpose.” It seems to me that Aristotle was a firm believer that happiness did not come from one vacation, one concert or one night of something enjoyable. However, Aristotle believed that a life that was fulfilling and successful was the way to achieve supreme happiness. So Aristotle views happiness as more of an activity than he does a state of being. Happiness is involved with the way you live your life and what your focus is on, not an emotional high or a specific instance or circumstance. As far as this goes, I seem to agree with Aristotle. Since I have arrived at ACU I have tried to find pleasure and contentment in many things, from sports to relationships to going to concerts etc. The point is, nothing I have tried has filled the hole inside of me. I feel like all Christians go through this rough patch where they say, if I could just have that car, or if I could just date him or her my life would be better, but all Christians come to realize at some point that material possessions are not sufficient for this happiness Aristotle is talking about. Kurt Kobain, the lead singer for Nirvana committed suicide out of the blue and no one had any clue why. He seemed to have everything going for him. He was the lead singer for a popular band, he had girls, drugs alcohol and lots of money; the so called perfect life. However, he obviously was not content and not satisfied because he ended his life abruptly. Again I believe the key to supreme happiness is living a life of fulfillment, and I believe the only way to accomplish this goal is to center your way of life around God, not material possessions that are only temporary. The lead singer for Korn has a great testimony about this that I would like you to check out…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf5WYigZHME

Sam Gibbs's Comment Archive

  1. Sam Gibbs on Carl Rogers was right on the money
    10:17 pm, 05.02.11

    I agree with all of the above. Carl Rogers brings a more personal aspect to therapy. While watching that Gloria youtube video I felt like Rogers genuinely cared and really wanted to hear what she had to say. She was not just a patient, she was someone he truly cared about as a person and friend almost.

  2. Sam Gibbs on Exisistential and Psychoanalytical
    10:09 pm, 05.02.11

    I agree with yall. I feel like it is important to learn and be educated in all types of therapies, not just one. However, if I had to pick the one that I would lean toward as a counselor, it would be Rogerian therapy.

  3. Sam Gibbs on Thoughts on Carl Rogers Theory
    10:07 pm, 05.02.11

    I would agree with you that Rogers is kind of a nice breath of fresh air. He offers a different take that i feel like I have been looking for, but until this class had never heard of one in particular. Although, as you mentioned I certainly do not feel like it is the be all end all, but I do feel it is a very effective method when coupled with maybe one or two other methods.

  4. Sam Gibbs on Roger's Therapeutic Relationship Qualities
    10:03 pm, 05.02.11

    I completely agree with you on this idea. I feel like the quote on one of the power point slides speaks volumes to this very idea. I cannot remember the exact wording but it pretty much said if you criticize someone they are more likely to not open up to you, instead they will probably turn the other way. However, if you use unconditional positive regard towards them they are more likely to feel comfortable expressing their true thoughts and feelings.

  5. Sam Gibbs on Unity of Self
    11:17 pm, 02.21.11

    And by that I mean the apple scenario…just clarifying

  6. Sam Gibbs on Unity of Self
    11:16 pm, 02.21.11

    I thought that video was interesting about the apple and how if you take away it’s properties then it does not exist. I just had trouble believing that that was applicable to humans and the self…

  7. Sam Gibbs on Jean-Jacques- Rousseau
    11:08 pm, 02.21.11

    I strongly agree with you on this. Growing up in the school system I was always discouraged when I got back a paper or something and did not get the grade I wanted. At the same time if I received an A the teacher didn’t really reward me or encourage me. I feel like its the same in sports for me. There are some people that like criticism but I myself would much rather be encouraged and taught what I was doing wrong instead of being subbed out or not playing because of ignorance and of course sometimes skill.

  8. Sam Gibbs on Rousseau
    11:03 pm, 02.21.11

    When I first read this I seemed to disagree with you on how humans our innately selfish, but after reading the rest of your post it has enlightened me and makes much more sense.

  9. Sam Gibbs on Another Kierkegaard Post - but cooler
    10:51 pm, 02.21.11

    Wow I have never looked at that bible story or that heroic situation in that light before. That is very interesting to think about. It makes you wonder which kind of knight you are doesn’t it?

  10. Sam Gibbs on A second look at "The Cave"
    8:01 pm, 02.02.11

    I like your take on this. I enjoy reading and listening to other people’s views on this allegory. It seems that many people have different views on it, based on their own experiences. Very interesting outlook…