1. Phenomenological Approaches
What is Phenomenology?
Binswanger: Authenticity
Carl Rogers: Self-Actualization
George Kelly: Constructive Alternativism
Csikszentmihalyi: Flow

2. Psychodynamics
Subjective, unconscious experience
Unobservable, can’t use scientific method
Biological Approach
Objective, observable situational influences
Rigorous use of scientific method
Phenomenology
Focus on conscious individual experience
Introspection
Integrative view

3. Three Aspects of Existence
Eigenwelt
“Ownworld”
Mitwelt
“Withworld”
Umwelt
“Aroundworld”

4. Main Characteristics of Phenomenological Approaches
Holistic, Qualitative, Idiographic
complete description of human existence
taking the individual’s own perspective
Phenomenological Method
focus on individual experience of the world
focus on interpretation of events, not the events themselves

5. Theoretical Background of Phenomenological Approaches
Humanistic Psychology
e.g. Rogers, Kelly
looks at higher human motives, self-development, esthetics
Existential Philosophy
e.g. Sartre
focus on people’s personal decisions, subjectivity, individuality
life is only meaningful, if we make it meaningful

6. What makes life meaningful?
Achievement
Spirituality
Relationships
Art
Social Responsibility
Developing One’s Potential

7. Ludwig Binswanger (1881-1966) Existence vs. Essence
The “Givens” of Existence
thrownness
ambivalent physical body
choice/freedom
anxiety/guilt
death
Authenticity vs. Inauthenticity

8. Carl Rogers (1902-1987) Core of human nature is positive
Culture and environment teach us to behave in negative ways.
Basic goal is self-actualization.
Individuals perceive the world uniquely  phenomenal field
“Self”: Key part of one’s personality

9. Rogers’ Definition of “Self”
Organized and consistent pattern of perceptions
Primarily conscious
Different from the “ideal self” (perceptions and meanings that are self-relevant and that are valued highly)
Is measured by:
Adjective Checklist
Q-sort
Semantic Differential

10. Demonstration Semantic Differential

11. Conditions of Worth Incongruity Defenses Ideal Therapist
conditional positive regard
conditional positive self-regard
Incongruity
real self
ideal self
Defenses
perceptual distortion
denial, projection
Ideal Therapist
congruent
unconditional
positive regard
empathy
respect

12. George Kelly ( )
Used the “fruitful metaphor” of seeing ordinary people as scientists:
“A person’s processes are psychologically channelized by the way in which he anticipates events”
Laypeople AND scientists
subject to hidden psychological forces
trying to predict the world by understanding its mechanisms

13. Constructive Alternativism
Multiple possible world views
People describe the world along bipolar dimensions (“constructs”)
Some constructs are related (“schemas”)
Social groups/cultures/families have similar constructs

14. Measuring the Construct System
Role Construct Repertory Test (REP)
Participant gives list of persons who are most important
Participant lists dimensions on which pairs of three are rated
Constructs differ in content and complexity

15. Demonstration REP

16. Constructs & Emotions
New information challenges existing construct system - constructs are no longer validated (predicting the world correctly)
Impermeable and preemptive constructs are problematic
Constructs need to change - if not, negative emotions are the consequence
anxiety = existing constructs threatened
guilt = behaving in discordance to constructs
aggression = forcing others to fit my constructs