Question

Rollo May

2. Describe the similarities and differences between existentialism and psychoanalysis.

6. In May's view, what are the ingredients for a constructive therapeutic process?

7. Describe the four stages of consciousness

Answer 1

Answer 7) May suggests four stages of consciousness:

According to May, rediscovering selfhood involves rediscovering our own feelings and desires.

a. Innocence: It is the stage of consciousness of self before the consciousness of self is born, the pre-egoic, pre-self- conscious stage of the infant.,i.e. neither good nor bad. But an innocent does have a degree of will in the sense of a drive to fulfil their needs.

b. Rebellion: The Childhood and adolescent stage of developing one's ego or self consciousness by means of contrast with adults. For example; there is a difference between a toddler saying "no" and a teenager saying "no way", here the rebellious person wants freedom, but because he does not have a clear understanding of the responsibilities that comes along with it.

c. Ordinary Consciousness of self: The stage of consciousness where the young adults find it too boring, perhaps, to deal with external responsibilities which sometimes clashes with their ego and therefore, they seek refuge in conformity and traditional values.

e. Creative consciousness of self: This stages involves more mature dealing with emotions and feelings Here, acceptance is the key, be it for their destiny or self-actualization and even deep down emotions such as facing anxiety with courage.