Compare and Contrast Theories essay
Human beings are rather complex and versatile. On the one hand we have a lot of natural instincts, in the same way like animals; on the other hand, we are sufficiently different from them thanks to our rich inside world. In order to understand the human behavior, the human thought, it is necessary to go deep inside the human nature, which is possible only with the help of various psychological theories. There are some basic theories, but certainly a lot of the new ones are constantly appearing and developing. However general information about all of these theories can contribute greatly to better understanding of the main mechanisms of human brains and emotions, the reasoning for the behavioral types and so on. Further in this paper we are going to compare and contrast some most well-known and developed theories, including Gestalt Theory, Behavioral Theory REBT and Person Centered.
Gestalt psychology came to us from Germany, “German: Gestalt – “essence or shape of an entity’s complete form” (Nevis, 2000). The main principle of this theory is the ability of human brain to see the general form of an object initially, without splitting it into the constituent parts. There are some laws, according to which, people are able to perceive the concrete objects in this world full of noise and motion. According to Gestalt psychologists, the process of perception is possible thanks to various stimuli. Behaviorist approach concentrated upon understanding of cognitive processes, whereas for Gestalt psychology their organization is of prior importance. “The gestalt effect is the form-generating capability of our senses, particularly with respect to the visual recognition of figures and whole forms instead of just a collection of simple lines and curves” (Nevis, 2000). Structuralism is opposed to Gestalt theory, because it supports the idea, that the whole is not understood as simply the sum of some parts. Development of the key ideas of Gestalt psychology led to working out of Gestalt therapy; here the names of Fritz and Laura Perls are of primary importance. The name of Kurt Goldstein is famous for his application of Gestalt psychology towards the organism functioning. Laura Perls, as well as Fritz Perls, studied Gestalt psychology before starting to work as a psychoanalyst. So, there is certainly some influence upon Gestalt therapy, coming from Gestalt psychology, however, there are a lot of disputes concerning this matter.
REBT – rational emotive behavior therapy – was called rational emotive therapy. The main aims of this therapy can be summarized as – resolving of emotional and behavioral problems of individuals, in order to assure for them the possibility to lead happy and healthy lives. Albert Ellis is the developer of this therapy, based his approach on the numerous achievements of Greek, Roman and Asian philosophers. REBT is also considered to be a form of cognitive behavior therapy. The main belief of REBT is based on the idea, which was first expressed by Epictetus – people in reality are not upset by the events in their lives, rather by their viewing of these events.
Further on we are going to stop briefly on some key concepts of Gestalt and REBT therapies, the main methods used and the ways of cooperation between therapist and a client. The Gestalt approach holds that dwelling on the past and fantasizing about the future can be ways to avoid the present, and that there is power in facing the present (Corey, 2009). Determinism, which is usually defined, as the belief that all the events are the logical and necessary consequences of the past events, is one the key aspects, which need to be considered in Gestalt therapy.
The task of the therapist at this moment is to attract attention of the patient to the present time; usually it is done with the help of typical “how” and what” questions, for example – What are you doing with your hand at the moment?
The roots of Gestalt therapy can be traced in the concepts of existential philosophy, studying the condition of being human (Nevis, 2000). Unfortunately a lot of people nowadays have to go through the feelings of isolation, loneliness, confusion and so on. Existential therapy is aimed to help patients to overcome their actual states. All the possible bad life situations should be reconsidered in comparison to the opportunities, people’s lives are able to bring, explaining them, what they gain, being human beings. Therapists do their best to assure patients, that they have their freedom of choice; however, they are bearing the responsibility for their decisions and actions. There are two main approaches applied: experiential and phenomenological, which aim to influence upon the way of experiencing things by the patient. “Phenomenology is a discipline that helps patients stand aside from their usual way of thinking so that they can distinguish the difference between what is actually perceived and felt in the current situation and what is due to past events” (Corey, 2009). Phenomenological questions are usually based on the present moment, helping the patients feel the present time, the events, which are taking place in this very moment.
As soon as therapists use Gestalt psychology, they should guarantee equal, person-to-person communication with their patients. The techniques, applied during these sessions, need the presence of the therapist. Moreover, some practitioners believe, that the techniques are of less importance than the presence and the process of personal communication. The relations between therapist and patient are usually developed even before starting to use the techniques, because patient needs time to develop trust.
Talking about maladjustment in the frames of Gestalt therapy, it is necessary to distinguish the five main disturbances, which are able to contribute to development of it: “introjection, projection, retroflection, deflection and confluence” (Nevis, 2000). Individuals are suffering from the feeling, that they can not adjust to the changing environment, can not build their normal interaction with the world around. Also rather negative influence is brought by unfinished business. Often Gestalt therapists see their aim exactly in investigating the roots of patient’s grief, anger, guilt in relation with some unfinished business, which makes the obstacles for complete self-awareness of the patient. REBT therapists see the roots of maladjustment in the way how their patients treat the events and think about the things around them. Life experience, along with individual biological aspects, is responsible for possibility of emotional disturbances.
In order to distract from unpleasant reality and the consequent emotional problems, it is necessary to accept the real situation. REBT therapists aim to help their patients in developing three types of acceptance: “(1) unconditional self-acceptance; (2) unconditional other-acceptance; and (3) unconditional life-acceptance (Velten, 2010). As soon as an individual is able to feel comfortable about such facts that everybody has flaws, along with good points, sometimes people around do not treat each other fairly and life is not always going the way we want, and develop acceptance of them, he is able to go out of emotionally depressed state.
Psychoanalytic theory is another approach for identifying the structure of personality and the major driving forces for human behavior. Within the 19th century Sigmund Freud came out with his psychoanalytic theory, based on brain and physiological studies. He stated that childhood events have the primary influence upon the formation of mentality of adult individuals. He presented people, as those having aggressive and sexual drives, making the behavior of them strongly deterministic. “It is governed by irrational forces, and the unconscious, as well instinctual and biological drives. Due to this deterministic nature, psychoanalytic theorists do not believe in free will” (Velten 2010).
Alfred Adler, a well-known philosopher and psychiatrist, in his turn suggested investigation of social context for understanding the roots of human psychological problems. He developed the theory of encouragement, stating that a person is able to develop his best sides, when he is encouraged and on the contrary – lack of encouragement can make him act in unhealthy ways. This theory seems to be good rather for children that adults.
Between 1940s and 1950s psychologist Carl Rogers developed PCT – a form of talk- psychotherapy – person –centered psychotherapy. The main aim of therapists here is to help their patients develop the sense of self, along with realization of how their attitudes and behavior can be negatively affected (Rogers, 1980). In spite of serious critic from behaviorists, this therapy proved to bring effect and positive results. One of the most strong points of this theory is the presentation of therapist and client as equals. This gives the chance for the client to take the complete responsibility for all improvements in his life and views, whereas in other theories – this role is usually passed to the therapist. The role of the therapist thus is limited to just a friendly counselor. “If there are any techniques they are listening, accepting, understanding and sharing, which seem more attitude-orientated than skills-orientated” (Rogers, 1980).
Overall, having briefly studies several well-known psychological theories, including Gestalt Theory /Behavioral Theory REBT/ Cognitive based, Psychoanalytic, Adler’s and Person Centered approach, we can conclude, that Person Centered approach is the strongest one in developing of potential of people, who in fact are able to find the best ways in their lives; realization, fulfillment, autonomy, self-determination, being the major aims of this therapy are also the key aspects for becoming a happy and self-sufficient personality.
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