Deck 8: Existential Psychotherapy Irvin D Yalom and Ruthellen Josselson

Question 1

The existential concept of freedom refers to the fact that we

A) are born with a sense of purpose.
B) can never truly obtain independence.
C) displace our responsibilities onto others.
D) are the authors of our own world.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Existential psychotherapy is a

A) philosophical approach to existence.
B) set of rules for therapy.
C) technical therapy approach.
D) religious psychotherapy.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The individual who described logotherapy was

A) Frankl.
B) Heidegger.
C) Husserl.
D) Nietzsche.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Existentialism is most largely influenced by the field of

A) astronomy.
B) engineering.
C) computer science.
D) philosophy.

Question 5

In contrast to psychoanalytical approaches, existential approaches

A) accept predetermined explanatory systems concerning human ordeal.
B) view conflict as grounded in human predicament, not suppressed instincts.
C) incorporate concepts such as Jung's archetype and collective unconscious.
D) concur with behaviorists that consequences of behavior are paramount.

Question 6

Yalom defines four categories that encompass fundamental challenges of the human condition known as

A) despair.
B) isolation.
C) existential dilemma.
D) ultimate concerns.

Question 7

Proponents of existential psychotherapy have not advocated specific training institutes because its

A) presuppositions can underlie any form of therapy.
B) theory was never embraced by psychology.
C) leaders have never valued formal education.
D) premises cannot be taught, only experienced.

Question 8

Existential approaches are most similar to which of the following approaches?

A) Behavioral
B) Gestalt
C) Cognitive
D) Psychoanalytic

Question 9

The therapeutic stance of the existential therapist is as a(n)

A) role model.
B) fellow traveler.
C) analytical transcriber.
D) reflective mirror.

Question 10

In 1958, existential psychotherapy was introduced to the United States with publication of Existence: A New Dimension in Psychiatry and Psychology by

A) Irvin Yalom.
B) Kirk Schneider.
C) Ernest Angel.
D) Rollo May.

Question 11

The therapy that practices an empathetic attitude toward human suffering, has no manual, and asks deep questions about the nature of the human being and the nature of anxiety is known as

A) behavior therapy.
B) existential psychotherapy.
C) humanistic therapy.
D) holistic therapy.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of Yalom's identified ultimate concerns?

A) Death
B) Meaninglessness
C) Freedom
D) Integrity

Question 13

Existential psychologists would advocate viewing the person

A) in anti-intellectual terms.
B) both subjectively and objectively.
C) entirely objectively.
D) completely subjectively.

Question 14

In existential terms, the conflicts individuals experience are regarding

A) cultural and interpersonal environment.
B) interactions with parental figures.
C) the givens of existence.
D) innate instinctual forces.

Question 15

According to existentialists, when an individual recognizes his or her uniqueness and is remaining true to the self, he or she is being

A) authentic.
B) self-centered.
C) neurotic.
D) rational.

Question 16

The existentialist who first emphasized death anxiety was

A) Husserl.
B) Kierkegaard.
C) Nietzsche.
D) Epicurus.

Question 17

A concept ultimately associated with freedom is

A) accepting dependence.
B) assuming responsibility.
C) denying personal needs.
D) relinquishing wishes.

Question 18

Existentialists consider anxiety that is proportionate to the situation confronted as

A) neurotic anxiety.
B) normal anxiety.
C) repression.
D) libidinal drives.

Question 19

The first comprehensive textbook on existential psychotherapy, titled Existential Psychotherapy, was written by

A) Rollo May.
B) Irvin Yalom.
C) Ernest Angel.
D) Viktor Frankl.

Question 20

The primary task of existential therapy is to facilitate

A) insight.
B) behavior change.
C) genuineness.
D) cultural consciousness.

Question 21

______________ is a form of psychotherapy described by Victor Frankl that focuses on will, freedom, meaning, and responsibility.

Question 22

From the existential perspective, "deep" conflict means the

A) most fundamental concern at that moment.
B) difficulties experienced during individuation.
C) earliest to occur in an individual's life.
D) inaccessible memories from childhood.

Question 23

Tolstoy's character Ivan Illych offers an apt example of belief in personal __________________.

Question 24

Who points out that all relationships are poised on the poles of being a part of and apart from the twin perils of merger and isolation?

A) Ivan Illych
B) Bugenthal
C) Irvin Yalom
D) Arnold Lazarus

Question 25

Yalom indicated that there are four ultimate concerns, which include _______, _______, _______, and _______.

Question 26

Normal anxiety is seen as proportionate to the situation involved. When the anxiety exceeds the situation present, it is considered _______.

Question 27

When an individual can move past a situation in order to move toward his or her future, it is said that the person has _______ the immediate situation.

Question 28

The fact that we are isolated from parts of ourselves is termed _______.

Question 29

What is the most powerful tool we have in our efforts to connect with other people and permits one to experience, at a deep level, what someone else is feeling?

A) Empathy
B) Attachment
C) Hospitality
D) Concord

Question 30

What does Yalom recount in the story of The Gift of Therapy that can enliven and direct therapy?

A) Freedom
B) Companionship
C) Empathy
D) Dreams

Question 31

The presuppositions of existential psychotherapy can be applied to

A) psychodynamic approaches.
B) cognitive-behavioral techniques.
C) contemplative practices.
D) all forms of therapy.

Question 32

Existential psychotherapy (ET) primarily focuses on

A) childhood experiences.
B) irrational thoughts.
C) the here and now.
D) maladaptive behaviors.

Question 33

Existentialists hypothesize that anxiety is the result of

A) biologically based instincts.
B) awareness of ultimate concerns.
C) competing cognitive distortions.
D) id-related libidinal drives.

Question 34

Existentialists believe that _______ originates out of the awareness of ultimate concerns.

Question 35

To cope with ultimate concerns regarding death, individuals will often use the defense mechanism of

A) accepting vulnerability.
B) avoiding a sense of uniqueness.
C) creating an ultimate rescuer.
D) focusing on the uniqueness of others.

Question 36

__________________ cuts even deeper; it is a more basic isolation that is riveted to existence and refers to an unbridgeable gulf between oneself and others.

Question 37

Which of the following approaches to human distress would be incompatible with an existential approach?

A) Behavioral
B) Cognitive
C) Psychopharmacological
D) None, all are potentially compatible

Question 38

Existentialists believe that one does not possess a(n) ___________ but rather embodies a(n) _______.

Question 39

An experience that forces an individual to confront an existential issue is known as a

A) boundary situation.
B) moment of insight.
C) therapeutic confrontation.
D) personal revelation.

Question 40

Existential psychotherapy is not a specific technique or set of techniques. It is more _______ in nature.

Question 41

From an existential perspective, discuss the relationship between freedom and responsibility. Why might freedom lead to distress? How might a therapist guide a client to resolve dilemmas between freedom and responsibility?

Question 42

What are Yalom's four ultimate concerns? Summarize each and discuss the therapeutic stance a therapist assumes when working from an existential approach.

Question 43

In the preamble read at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, it states that the program works for those who are ready to live in a rigorously honest manner. How might existential approaches help an individual confront alcoholism?

Question 44

Existential psychotherapy developed out of a concern with finding a more reliable and basic way of understanding human beings without skewing the view through theoretical frameworks. Discuss how existential psychotherapy differs from other psychotherapies.

Question 45

What is an existential dilemma? What does an individual face when confronted with an existential dilemma?