History of Theories in Psychology (PSYC 493)

Third Force Psychology has become very popular in recent years, not only because of client centered therapy, but also because of its clever infusion of humanistic ideals. While it can be and is viewed by many as a reaction to the seemingly negative picture of the self painted by Freud and Psychoanalysis, its views on creativity and human potential have opened up new areas for psychology to explore. One these areas is self-actualization. Theories of self actualization believe that humans have an innate, though “fragile” as Maslow would say, drive toward realizing ones full potential. This is generally described as reaching a higher state of understanding, often of the self and others, but also ones environments. I won’t go into the specific theories about how actualization occurs, but in my opinion a “self-actualized” person is pretty much the exact opposite of the half conscious animal drowning in its neurosis stereotyped by psychoanalysis. Another thing I noticed is that, while psychoanalysis seemed to accent some of man’s darker qualities, or at least view them in a dark way, humanistic psychology views everything as overly positive. It makes it more popular, but I think truth is somewhere in between. Another part of third force psychology that I find particularly interesting is Transpersonal psychology. It is a relatively unexplored area since Maslow, but I think it is a very interesting field and could have some important implications for the psychology of religion. I don’t know of any people who embody third force psych who aren’t psychologist, so I really don’t know what else to say… so Goodnight!

Third-force psychology (AKA humanistic psychology) began to develop in the early 1960’s as a movement against psychoanalysis and behaviorism.  Third-force psychologists wanted to emphasize human uniqueness and positivity.  It assumes that humans are responsible for choosing their on existence, rather than genetics or early experience.  For me, this brings to mind the popular television show called The Biggest Loser.  This show makes weight loss into a competition.  Obese individuals are taught how to eat right and exercise.  The show runs on the basic premise that we can change our negative habits and replace them with positive ones by using our will.  Bad genes and a life of couch-sitting does not mean that an individual cannot change his or her body for the better.  The realization that we have the power to choose how our lives and bodies will be shaped empowers contestants on the show to work through emotional issues, while improving their physical health.

I generally have a more negative outlook on things; however, I have found that owning my choices not only forces me to face reality, but also reminds me that I have the power to change my reality.  This field may not have all the answers, but I do feel that it has something valuable to offer.

Third Force Psychology reflects the humanistic theory that very familiar with Rogers’ way of thinking. The humanistic way of thinking is that humans are able to overcome their issues and problems by utilizing three things: unconditioned positive response, empathy, and genuine love. Although this doesn’t seem very psychoanalytic, this way works and it works well. I happen to familiarize myself very well with the humanistic way of doing things and thoroughly enjoy providing unconditioned positive response, empathy, and genuine love to others as well as receiving it. Ironically enough, the movie that I chose to do my paper over is What About Bob. In What About Bob, the humanistic theory is applied in a way that Bob is seeking therapy from Dr. Marvin but ultimately it is not Dr. Marvin who helps Bob, it is Dr. Marvin’s family. Dr. Marvin’s family helps Bob in a way that shows kindness, love, and acceptance. Through the acceptance that Bob receives from the family, it allows Bob to take risk that he was once afraid of but now faces boldly. I believe this is the epitome of how we as humans respond. When we feel as though we are accepted and genuinely loved by someone, it allows vulnerability in a way that gives us confidence to do things (with the risk of failure) because we are accepted. The unconditioned positive response that we receive is what allows us to do things we once may not have done. For example, Bob had a phobia of the water but when Anna, Dr. Marvin’s daughter, asked Bob to go sailing, he responded that he had never been but if she wanted him to do then he would do. Bob agrees to go sailing because Anna provided love and acceptance that would still be present regardless of whether Bob wanted to go or not. When we as humans experience this kind of thing, that is when greatness arises from us all. We then are not scared to take risk and become who are on the inside, rather than being who we are that hides behind the fear of failure or letting someone else down.

Third force psychology is killing me, but only because I am letting it. In my mind, the focus on free will almost strips you of your individuality. It sounds paradoxical. And I think it is. As soon as you begin trying to live an “authentic” life, you quickly realize that everything around you is influencing you and you cannot escape all of it.

If you have not read the play “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett, I highly recommend it. The play is centered around two characters who are waiting for someone, someone they do not know, someone named…you guessed it…Godot. They wait and do all sorts of absurd things (an illusion to the existential “absurd”) to pass the time. The take-away is that the meaning of life does not exist inherently. A person must create value by defining it and living it. On a grander scale, perhaps there is some inherent meaning but we, as humans, are incapable of understanding it. I’m getting carried away with philosophy. Back to psychology:

I have not studied or practiced existential therapy so do not mistake my pondering as truth. I would consider the focus on choices and consequences to be very effective in therapy because it gives the client some freedom. I can also see how understanding that death is inevitable would help a client who is grieving or about to lose a family member. All of this has to be tactfully and with skill. I doubt that very few clients would find it helpful to hear “death is inevitable and their time has come”. I also would not be surprised if that blunt satement does help someone. It is all about context. It really is. That is what makes therapy and life so difficult. We never know anyone’s story completely and we never will. We can only know our own stories, and even then, only if we try.

How can we take something so basic and make it so complicated?

You really should read the play. It’s short.

Third Force Psychology is called by many names, but most call it Humanistic Psychology. Regardless of the label attached to it, Third Force Psychology focuses on self actualization and creativity of individuals. One of the main cornerstones of third force psych is that humans are naturally good and any action, thought, or emotion that is not good is just a deviation from the natural human tendency to do good. I would like to compare and contrast 2 entities that embody third force beliefs, or the opposite.

A modern example of someone who supports third force thoughts and beliefs is Barack Obama. To be more specific, Barack Obama supports third force psychology in his campaigns. I don’t intend to turn this blog post into a political argument so lets focus on some of the simple things that everyone can agree on. Many articles and people label Barack Obama as “The Man of Many Slogans” because his campaign slogans that accompanied him in 2008 and 2012. All of these slogans follow the belief that all humans are inherently good and will continue to do good naturally. Obama’s campaign slogans encourage people everywhere, regardless or status, to keep being good. “Believe” was a slogan in 2008, encouraging us to believe in the good of others and the good of Obama to lead the country. “Yes We Can” was another 2008 slogan that helped us believe that with the good in people and hard work, we can do anything. Finally in 2012 he debuted with “Forward!” This is a reference to the good in people helping themselves and others move forward in a world that seems to be moving backwards.

As a contrast, the media seems to always point out the bad in people. You never hear stories about people saving others or doing good deeds but instead you hear stories of disasters and people committing crime and acts of terrorism. The media is a good example of a group that refutes third force psychology.

Thoughts?

There has been a movement amongst the modern American psyche that places a lot of focus on the most important idea in Existential Psychology, impending death. The modern American psyche encourages a do now, do you mindset-because after all, you’re not going to be young forever or alive for that matter. We have embraced the glorification of busy lives that are full of events and projects that strive to fulfill. We admire people who take off on spur of the moment trips to “experience” life. We constantly seek and desire ways to be better, happier people because we fear the idea of dying before we’ve lived a life worth living.

I happen to be fascinated by third-force psychology and the humanistic approach. It is people-oriented, relentlessly positive, and vastly popular. While it is arguably to idealistic and often fails to apply much needed perspective to life situations, it is nonetheless interesting and powerful in many ways. I think a great example of a modern movement is the universalist philosophy: all truth is relative and while we all experience and perceive things differently, what serves as our reality is a valid reality. I personally would love to believe universalism, but I have a very hard time accepting someone’s reality that involves sexual relationships with a child or the extermination of a race as reasonable or even just truths. I think humanistic psychology’s largest strength (it’s acceptance of the uniqueness and individuation of people) is also it’s greatest weakness (at some point a line must me drawn). While most of what is right and wrong in the context of human reason and emotion is “gray area”, most people would agree that at least some ethical questions have answers that are black and white.

Humanistic psychology, also known as third force psychology, emphasizes an individual’s drive towards self-actualization and creativity. It believes that behavior is connected to a person’s inner feelings and self-concept. I think this is greatly seen in our society today. Individualism is praised and people are striving to be different and unique. I think a perfect example of this in today’s world is the whole “hipster” movement. It focuses on self-actualization and individualism. It suddenly became popular to fall away from the mainstream of society and its norms to do your own thing. While hipsters tend to be more trendy, they add their own style and unique twist and strive to personalize it. I think another great example of a rise in creativity is Pinterest. Pinterest is a website that allows people to share ideas with each other ranging from recipes to craft projects. It’s purpose is to encourage people to be creative with the things they have around them, whether that be a meal, refurbishing furniture, painting or sewing. The object is to turn something ordinary into something unique. I see these prominently in our society. These examples best illustrate humanistic psychology for me.

This is one of my favorite psychological theories to focus on. Although I don’t believe in a hard humanistic approach to therapy or theory, I do believe in some of the main beliefs. That all humans are created with a drive to be unique and make a difference in the world. Unless there are severely altered biological or chemical imbalances, I think at the core everyone experiences satisfaction from displaying self-actualizing tendencies or behaviors. This is the backbone for why I believe in art as a form of therapy. I believe that everyone has the ability to create in some form or fashion whether that is through painting, designing, writing, singing, acting, sculpting and through that they are able to tap into and discover new sides of themselves that they didn’t know they previously had. I personally experience extreme satisfaction after finishing any form of art project or writing project even if it is not necessarily pleasing to society. Sadly, I think forms of creativity are discouraged in kids growing up or they are constantly critiqued by art teachers or professors to the point where their confidence is shot and they no longer enjoy creating because it is no longer about expressing themselves in a unique way.

Here is a short clip I found that shows more about art therapy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exRRwiIFNUU&playnext=1&list=PLB89071E220CA4D8C

Third Force psychology is based on the premise that all people are inherently good. It establishes that fact that through a conscious evolution of attitudes, values, and beliefs, a person becomes a self actualized individual with the inner wisdom and confidence to guide their own life in a manner that is personally satisfying and socially constructive. Psychologist Abraham Maslow was one of the primary contributors to this theory and also contributed to humanistic psychology with his famous hierarchy of needs theory of human motivation. One of the trends that I have noticed in this respect comes from the old Missionary goal. Missionary’s ethnocentric goals were based largely on converting people and ‘saving’ as many people as possible through the faith based and sometimes even forceful means. As history has told, missions has been scrutinized for the effect and long term changes made to a population. None the less, missions remains an important role in the American church. Why? Many missionaries go with the ‘save as many people as possible’ approach. They go with a bible thumping approach many times where they don’t necessarily take into account where they people they meet are at in life. What do I mean by this? Normally, missionaries come with the intention to help people self actualize or to help with esteem needs. However, those people aren’t even at that level on the hierarchy of needs. They are preoccupied with getting shelter and having clean water to drink. Needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food, water, sleep, and warmth. Once these lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs, which are for safety and security. However, based on the theory, if these needs aren’t met they cannot move up. Based on this theory, how should mission approaches change?