Test #2 April 4th (Wed)

“It is not things in themselves that trouble us, but our opinions of things.” “Change your thoughts and you change your world." “I do not react to some absolute reality, but to my perception of this reality. It is this perception which for me is reality.”

Awareness is everything! Conscious experience is all that matters The past is only important if it affects your thoughts and feelings now Even if “reality” exists, it doesn’t matter Note how different from other approaches Trait Genetic Psychodynamic

Humanistic Psychology The study of the mind is different than any other science The mind is aware! The mind is attempting to understand the mind

Awareness Existentialism Phenomenological Humanistic The cs mind has a sense of “existence” Phenomenological The “phenomenon” of experience Humanistic This phenomenon is uniquely human

Phenomenological, Humanistic, and Existentialism Free will Awareness Meaning Responsibilities of free will The object of study are human beings

Free Will Previous approaches CS experience is personality The UCS mind does not matter The past does not matter Only times these do matter is if you let them Gordon Liddy example

Awareness What does it feel like to exist? Umwelt Mitwelt Eigenwelt Senses you feel as a biological organism Mitwelt Feelings related to social experiences Eigenwelt Feelings when you think of your own existence

What would you have been like if you. . . Were born to an extremely wealth family? Were born to an extremely poor family? Were born in North Dakota in 1952? Were born in England in 1500?

Thrown-ness The circumstances into which you happened to be born What time period do you think it is most difficult to find a sense of meaning?

Meaning Modern times Why are you here? What should you be doing? Angst Existential anxiety

What to do? “Lucky mud” Free choice – must not “blow” your chance to find “meaning” Not a “true” meaning, but a personal “meaning”

Authentic Existence Come to terms with your existence Life is shot You will die You are in control of your choices – find meaning Still not a “happy” existence Your will die Meaning is only an illusion

Bad Faith Avoid Angst Stop worrying about the problems of existence

Bad Faith Problems 1) Living a lie 2) Still will not be happy Might as well just be the “unlucky mud” 2) Still will not be happy 3) Still making a choice Chosen not to chose is a choice “Man is condemned to freedom”

Abraham Maslow

Abraham Maslow “She kissed back and then life began.”

Self-Actualizing Tendency Innate motive toward fulfillment of our potentials Environment can cause problems

Needs Can be biological or instinctive A state of affairs which, if present, would improve the well being of the person Example: food

Needs An unsatisfied need will dominate an individual's thoughts and behaviors Once a need is satisfied it no longer has as much influence on a person

Thoughts and Fantasies Example Think about food, fantasizing about a big meal Thoughts and Fantasies Have not eaten Need for food Hunger Deficit Need Motive Behaviors Go to store, buy food, bring it home, cook it

Thoughts and Fantasies Group Activity Thoughts and Fantasies Deficit Need Motive Behaviors