Read the passage and answer the following question:
The humanistic-existential therapies propose that psychological distress originates from feelings of alienation, loneliness and inability to find meaning in life. Individuals have needs for personal growth and self-actualisation. When these needs are not met it creates psychological distress.
The therapy creates a permissive, non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere in which the client's emotions can be freely expressed and balance achieved.
Gestalt Therapy is one of the therapies under this category which was given by Freiderick Perls and Laura Perls. This therapy works with a goal to increase an individual's self-awareness and self-acceptance. Similarly, client can reconnect with his/her disintegrated feelings. The therapist shows empathy and unconditional positive regard towards the client. This therapy also believes that client has the resources and potential to deal with the distress. In conclusion, it can be said that these therapies help a client to become his/her real self with the therapist working as facilitator.
Select the correct statements describing the Humanistic-existential therapy.
A. Humanists believe in giving instructions and shaping people's lives
B. Existentialists believe in freedom to shape our life the way we want to
C. As per the existential theorists, humans who do not take the responsibility of their lives lead a dysfunctional life
D. Humanists believe in the overall goodness of humans
E. Humanists believe that there is no concept of overall-goodness in humans
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → B, C and D only
A. Humanists believe in giving instructions and shaping people’s lives Incorrect. Humanistic-existential therapy assumes that the client has the freedom and responsibility to control her/his own behaviour. The therapist is merely a facilitator and guide, and it is the client who is responsible for the success of therapy. A therapist who gives instructions and shapes the client’s life would take away the very freedom the therapy rests on.
B. Existentialists believe in freedom to shape our life the way we want to Correct. Existentialists believe that from birth we have total freedom to give meaning to our existence, or to avoid that responsibility. How we shape our life is our own choice.
C. As per the existential theorists, humans who do not take the responsibility of their lives lead a dysfunctional life Correct. Freedom comes with responsibility. Those who shirk from this responsibility would live empty, inauthentic and dysfunctional lives.
D. Humanists believe in the overall goodness of humans Correct. Humanists believe that human beings are born with a natural tendency to be friendly, cooperative and constructive, and are driven to self-actualise, that is, to fulfil this potential for goodness and growth.
E. Humanists believe that there is no concept of overall-goodness in humans Incorrect. This is the opposite of statement D. The whole humanistic view starts from an inborn potential for goodness that a person tries to fulfil.
NCERT (2025-26): “Humanistic-existential Therapy … Therefore, the therapy creates a permissive, non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere in which the client’s emotions can be freely expressed and the complexity, balance and integration could be achieved. The fundamental assumption is that the client has the freedom and responsibility to control her/his own behaviour. The therapist is merely a facilitator and guide. It is the client who is responsible for the success of therapy.…” “Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour … Another psychological model is the humanistic-existential model which focuses on broader aspects of human existence. Humanists believe that human beings are born with a natural tendency to be friendly, cooperative and constructive, and are driven to self-actualise, i.e. to fulfil this potential for goodness and growth. Existentialists believe that from birth we have total freedom to give meaning to our existence or to avoid that responsibility. Those who shirk from this responsibility would live empty, inauthentic, and dysfunctional lives.…” |