Essay Questions - Humanistic Psych - ADA 1500
Final Exam
Essay Questions

Humanistic Psychology - ADA 1500
Instructor: Thomas Rue, M.A.
SCCC/SCF

Due: December 10, 1989
Distributed: November 7, 1989
NOTE: Following is the take-home final covering the entire semester. You are expected to put a reasonable degree of effort into responding to a total of three (3) items of your choosing. Plagiarism (the passing off as one's own the work of another) is cause for failure. I would expect an average of three or four type double-spaed pages for each item, or the equivalent in neat manuscript.

1. How does humanistic psychology differ from other major theoretical orientations, such as behavioral science, the medical model, psychoanalysis, and others? What are some of the priorities of the humanist movement as it applies to psychology? In your awareness, are these priorities adequately addressed by other orientations in psychology? Explain.

2. Describe the basis of many societal judgements about women's bodies, sexuality, and social relationship to men. Address these areas individually, providing examples of each. How does this effect gender relations today?

3. Describe John Rowan's view of how the Horned God (Cernunnos, etc.) relates to the psychology of being male. How does the concept of the Horned God tie together with other archetypal images? in addition to summarizing Rowan's viewes, provide a section giving your own personal reaction to his writings. Be specific in describing any aspects with which you particularly agree or disagree.

4. Describe the relationship in the human psyche between the phenomena of the Burning Times or witch hunts of the middle ages, the Holocause, and racism in modern America. Describe this dark aspect of humanity in Junian terms, on a group level.

5. Describe what t-group and encounter groups are. How do these groups differ from therapy or counseling groups? What are some of the aims and criticisms of t-groups and encounter groups?

6. Compare and contrast each of the following three theorists' approaches to psychotherapy: Carl R. Rogers, Frederick S. "Fritz" Perls, and Albert Ellis. Which one do you believe is most effective for you in relating to counseling clients, and why?

7. Are there any similarities between the emotional or external experiences Victor Frankl relates in Man's Search for Meaning, surving Auschwitz, and your own experience at the hands of the People of the State of New York? If so, what are they? Include specific experiences justifying your answer. What politically realistic ways do you see to improve conditions in state prisons?

8. Describe a fictitious person who could accurately be described as "self-actualizing." Write a creative character sketch of this person, including their personality, priorities, goals, etc. You may incorporate traits of real people you have admired, but make the person you describe your ideal.



© 1989, Thomas Rue

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