Hip hop writer identity and cultural expression

Question 1

The individual’s experience and the personal construction of meaning are central to humanistic psychology. Theorists like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow initially promoted this humanistic view of psychology, which was contrary to the prevailing tenets of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Instead of focusing on past experiences and environmental variables, Rogers and Maslow focused on the person’s perceptions and intrinsic motivations (“What is Humanistic Psychology?” n.d.). Moreover, early theorists also negated the importance of experimental studies and other applications of the scientific method to psychological inquiry because these methods have a way of dehumanizing and devaluing personal experience (McLeod, 2015). Theorists like Rogers and Maslow found was more useful to apply qualitative methods that would allow the person to open up and share their thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and perceptions. Thus, the therapist and the client work together to discover ways of finding meaning in life experiences.

Carl Rogers promoted the value of unconditional positive regard within the therapeutic relationship. In fact, Rogers also believed that all satisfying human relationships are based on unconditional positive regard (McLeod, 2014). There are no external or absolute definitions of unconditional positive regard; rather, Rogers understood that each person would perceive their relationships and interactions with others differently. Likewise, Rogers as well as Maslow understood the importance of the individual’s personal experiences for achieving self-actualization. Self-actualization is not just the goal of therapy but arguably the goal of the individual’s life, from the humanistic point of view. Maslow developed the needs hierarchy to frame the concept of self-actualization, showing how individuals at different stages of their life and personal development will have different goals and needs. Both Maslow and Rogers stressed the relativism of individual needs. Rather than assume that there are universal norms, drives, and desires, humanistic psychologists allow great leeway for individualism and personal self-expression.


References

McLeod, S. (2014). Carl Rogers. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-rogers.html
McLeod, S. (2015). Humanism. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/humanistic.html
“What is Humanistic Psychology?” (n.d.). http://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/HUMAN/WHAT.HTML

Question 2

The search for meaning in life is often framed in terms of spirituality or religion. As “fuzzy” as these worldviews may be, spirituality and religion do promote the goals of humanistic psychology including the search for meaning and the seeking of self-actualization (Bregman, 2006, p. 5). Finding meaning in life often entails a confrontation with death and mortality. Religions like Christianity have highly developed systems of thought related to death and the afterlife: eschatology. Other religions promote entirely different ways of conceptualizing the meaning of life and death. For example, Buddhism and Hinduism both suggest that some sort of reincarnation or rebirth process occurs. Reincarnation is not appreciably different from the Christian afterlife, though, taking into account the similar drive for eternal life rather than the mere cessation of being after biological death. It is as if people feel uncomfortable considering that their consciousness simply vanishes after death, and therefore seek meaning in an afterlife.
Being mindful of a physical presence in the world refers to many different things, including the ability to be self-aware and also being aware or mindful of a divine or higher purpose in all things. I personally resonate more with the Buddhist perspective on mindfulness of physical presence in the world. The Buddhist perspective is realistic even if it remains every bit as “fuzzy” in parts as Christianity. The Christian perspective promotes the notion of a single life course, after which an eternal life in a binary condition (heaven or hell) ensues. This perspective seems irrational, whereas the Buddhist belief is that one can find meaning in life via a contemplation and acceptance of the suffering that is endemic to life. Through acceptance of suffering, one can develop the compassion and empathy needed to have meaningful connections with other people, which in turn provides greater peace, happiness, and serenity and can lead to self-actualization and a sense of purpose. Death is inevitable, not something to be feared but something to be welcomed with as open and aware a mind as possible.

References

Bregman, L. (2006). Spirituality: A glowing and useful term in search of a meaning. Omega, 53(1/2), 5–26.

McAdams, D. P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 100–122.