Explain the antecedents of third-force movement. Give a comparative account of humanistic and existential psychology.

1. Antecedents of the Third-Force Movement

The Third-Force Movement emerged in response to the dominance of behaviorism and psychoanalysis in psychology during the mid-20th century. It sought to introduce alternative perspectives that focused on the subjective experiences, personal growth, and intrinsic motivations of individuals. Several key antecedents paved the way for the development of the Third-Force Movement:

1.1 Existential Philosophy:
Existential philosophy, with thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, emphasized the importance of individual freedom, responsibility, and authenticity in the face of existential challenges such as death, meaninglessness, and isolation. Existential themes of personal agency and subjective experience influenced the development of humanistic and existential psychology.

1.2 Phenomenology:
Phenomenology, as articulated by philosophers such as Husserl and Merleau-Ponty, focused on the study of subjective experiences and the ways in which individuals perceive, interpret, and make sense of their lived experiences. Phenomenological principles of bracketing assumptions and attending to the richness of subjective experience provided a methodological foundation for humanistic and existential psychology.

1.3 Gestalt Psychology:
Gestalt psychology, with its emphasis on the holistic nature of perception and cognition, challenged reductionistic approaches to understanding human behavior. Gestalt psychologists such as Wertheimer, Koffka, and Köhler highlighted the importance of studying the whole person and the meaningful patterns of behavior that emerge from the interaction between the individual and their environment.

1.4 Psychoanalytic Dissenters:
Dissenting voices within psychoanalysis, such as Alfred Adler and Karen Horney, criticized Freud's emphasis on instinctual drives and the determinism of unconscious processes. Instead, they emphasized the importance of social and cultural influences, as well as the individual's striving for self-actualization and personal growth.

2. Comparative Account of Humanistic and Existential Psychology

2.1 Humanistic Psychology:
Humanistic psychology, pioneered by Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and others, focuses on the inherent goodness and potential for growth within individuals. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-actualization in achieving psychological well-being.

2.1.1 Core Principles:
Humanistic psychology emphasizes several core principles, including the holistic nature of human experience, the importance of subjective reality, and the belief in individuals' capacity for self-direction and personal growth.

2.1.2 Therapeutic Approach:
Humanistic therapy, also known as person-centered therapy, emphasizes the therapist-client relationship, empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness. It aims to facilitate clients' self-exploration, self-discovery, and self-actualization by creating a supportive and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment.

2.2 Existential Psychology:
Existential psychology, influenced by existential philosophy and phenomenology, focuses on the existential concerns of human existence, such as freedom, responsibility, choice, meaning, and death. It explores how individuals grapple with these existential challenges and find meaning and purpose in their lives.

2.2.1 Core Principles:
Existential psychology emphasizes several core principles, including the importance of subjective experience, the search for meaning and authenticity, the recognition of existential anxiety and guilt, and the confrontation of existential givens such as death and finitude.

2.2.2 Therapeutic Approach:
Existential therapy aims to help clients confront existential concerns, make authentic choices, and live more fully in accordance with their values and beliefs. It encourages clients to explore their existential dilemmas, confront their fears and anxieties, and take responsibility for their lives through self-awareness and self-transformation.

3. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Third-Force Movement in psychology emerged as a response to the limitations of behaviorism and psychoanalysis, drawing on antecedents such as existential philosophy, phenomenology, gestalt psychology, and dissenting voices within psychoanalysis. Humanistic and existential psychology, two major branches of the Third-Force Movement, share commonalities in their emphasis on subjective experience, personal growth, and authenticity, while also embodying distinct principles and therapeutic approaches.