Chapter 17: Problem 4

What are the main differences between psychoanalysis and humanistic therapy?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The main differences between psychoanalysis and humanistic therapy lie in their views of human nature, focus, and therapeutic approach. While psychoanalysis emphasizes unconscious drives, past traumas, and an analyst-led approach, humanistic therapy highlights potential for growth, personal agency, the present and future, and a client-led process.

Step by step solution

Understand Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach designed by Sigmund Freud. It emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind and sees behaviour as driven by desires, motivations, and past experiences, particularly from childhood. Treatment methods include exploration of unconscious thoughts through techniques like dream analysis and free association, and the therapeutic relationship is often characterized by the concept of transference.

Understand Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy was developed as a response to both psychoanalysis and behaviorism, focusing more on individual agency, personal growth, and the capacity for self-fulfillment. Key practitioners include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Techniques tend to involve nondirective support, active listening, and unconditional positive regard to facilitate the client's own self-understanding and growth.

Compare and Contrast

Psychoanalysis and humanistic therapy have different views of human nature (deterministic versus potential for growth), focus (on past versus present/future), and therapeutic approach (directive and analyst-led versus nondirective and client-led). Unconscious processes and past traumas are of greater concern in psychoanalysis, while self-actualization and personal growth are central in humanistic therapy.

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What are the main differences between psychoanalysis and humanistic therapy?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand Psychoanalysis

Understand Humanistic Therapy

Compare and Contrast

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