HSC

• Diminished Conception of Ourselves
• Fixed Conception of ourselves- we can do this but can’t do
• that
• The need for Safety- Unwillingness to leave safe places

• Maslow believed the our self-concept is enhanced, safety
• becomes less attractive and necessary, and growth becomes more attractive and
• even irresistible

Aging is not an obstacle to Growth-

• The fear of growth- great athletes worry about not repeating
• high level performances, can cause stress and anxiety

• Intellect, knowledge, and learning- seniors show superior
• skills than freshmen in speaking and writing, thinking critically, reflective judgments and more knowledge in content areas

• Educational values- as you progress you begin to value
• learning for its own sake as opposed to getting a better job

Autonomy and relations to oneself and others- we become more independent and increase our self-esteem

Factors influencing personal growth in college- the greater a student’s involvements in all aspects of college life, the greater the opportunity for personal growth (out of class experiences)

Carl Rogers- levels of personal change in therapy

• 1. They become less defensive and more aware of
• their own feelings

2. More openness and growth of trust in themselves

• 3. Increasingly accept responsibility for what is
• happening in their lives and the direction it will take

Alcoholics anonymous, founded in 1935 by D. Bob and Bill W. was developed to be conducted by alcoholics to help themselves attain and retain sobriety


General concepts include help is through support and understanding that only persons who share a problem can give each other. An emphasis on taking life one day at a time and doing the best one can that day

• Helping others removes us from preoccupation with our own
• concerns, can provide a sense of connection or belonging, may enhance or physical and emotional health

• Persons professing a particular standard but not holding to
• it themselves

Abraham Maslow presented in 1970 that human needs or gals can be arranged in hierarchy according to their power or prepotency. He believed as we satisfy our needs at one level, we may move up and attend to our needs at the next level.

These levels are:

• -Physiological needs: important basic needs food and shelter
• -Safety needs: our search for an orderly environment,
• unpredictable events cannot happen, we may utilize jobs with tenure, opening savings accounts, taking out insurance policies

-Belongingness/Love Needs: we need to know we are loved, have a system of support such as parents and friends, sweethearts, a family of our own

• -Esteem needs: these involve our desire to respect ourselves
• and to have the respect of others around us

• -Self-actualization needs: higher-order pursuits such as
• knowledge, truth, justice, and beauty. We may strive for fulfillment in education, athletics, parenthood, art or music

Pets lift human emotional spirits

Calms patients while in institutional settings

• Living longer will change some things- lifelong education,
• “until death do us part”, raising our children and helping aging parents, reconstituted families/more family members could be involved in your life

• Researchers found that optimist, compared to pessimist, are
• happier, healthier, and may even live longer

• To train the mind to be “one-pointed,” That is, to focus
• purposefully on a single subject. We learn to live in the moment but also to choose the reality for that moment

• We must be careful that we are not living in the past or
• drawn to the future that we do not live each moment of the present

• Some of our assets are “harvest” qualities. They are
• strengths, or skills that are developed, and readily available for use. Other assets can be considered “seed” qualities, and are waiting to be developed if given the proper attention

• Imagining is used to develop the “seed” qualities. Seeing
• ourselves use the quality we wish to harvest and then acting accordingly to obtain the physical or mental training necessary to actually use these qualities is the goal.

• -To affirm means to declare positively, firmly or assert
• that something is true. In this context affirmation is a positive declaration about ourselves.

• -some people may have a tendency to dwell on negative
• thoughts. These thoughts are harmful to us in many ways. If we are thinking negatively, we will act negatively. on the contrary, however, if we are thinking positively, and using positive affirmation we will act positively and almost always improve our life’s outcome.
• -Tips how to achieve success-using affirmation
• 1.Affirmations are state positively

• 2. Affirmation are stated in the present tense, as
• if they are already achieved; not lying, however, creating a blueprint for what
• we want to achieve

3. Affirmations are short, simple, and worded in a way that is appropriate for the affirmer

4. Affirmations are said with belief

• -Affirmations can be repeated verbally, silently, or even
• written down on paper several times. The point is not argued with the echo, but rather listen to what it says.

-We pledge allegiance to the flag.

-You buy a house or mortgage a house

-Adopting a child

-To be assumed, though not directly expressed

-Move in together, “His” and “Her” things

• -One that occurs when people pursue a commitment so
• exclusively that their lives become brittle and their horizons narrow:
• -Relationships
• -Organizations
• -Ideology

• -Trouble forming commitment:
• -fear
• -job to job
• -causal sex relationships

• -Not all commitments are kept:
• -Marriage
• -Contracts
• -Priests/Nuns withdraw from religious life

1. Becoming aware of negative feelings

2. Recognizing the need to change

3. Experiencing ambivalence

4. Reducing the risk through perception

5. Letting it be

6. Taking the plunge

7. Evaluating the outcome

• -Ascertain the problem-first step in dealing with a problem
• systematically is to determine what the problem is

-Formulate some alternative course of action- once we understand the problem, the next step is to consider various ways of dealing with it

-Evaluate the alternative and select one

-Take Action- put the plan to action; Timing is crucial

-Maintain flexibility and utilize feedback- Learn from errors and successes

-Children are carefree, uninhibited and not stressed out

-Play with children on their level-color, watch cartoons

-Find your old toys, helps you get into your child state

Watch/rent some old TV shows and movies

1. Know your dream well

2. Be aware of conflicts within

3. Believe you deserve good things

4. Have a strategy and plan

5. Work hard

6. Visualize

7. Keep a journal

8. Believe

• What exactly do I want? – It helps to be clear, specific and
• concrete
• Why do I want it? – Payoff

• Do I believe I can get it?- If we believe we can succeed, we
• will likely act in ways consistent with our expectations

What do I need to do to reach my goals? – Degree, certification, license

• What other needs or goals will conflict with this one? –
• Pursuit of our career with the time we spend with our family

• When will I begin? When will I arrive>- -
• procrastination, waiting for the perfect time to start

• Can I accept the goal? – If I achieve it people may expect
• more of me, pu additional responsibilities on me

Tips- make lists, prioritize the items

Refers to our efforts to manage or master stressful situations

• 1. We cope as we try to overcome our frustrations
• and reach our gals

2. We cope as we move to resolve conflicts

3. We cope as we wind our way through daily hassles

• Caused by threat of well being making us feel endangered or
• challenged in some way

1. too much can disorganize our efforts and paralyze us

• 2. Moderate amounts can rouse and prompt us to do
• what we need to do

3. It’s the sign and price of growth

• use alcohol or drugs, low self-esteem, a tendency toward
• isolation, and progressive withdrawal from relationships and favored activities

• the human capacity is infinite, and no challenge is beyond
• comprehension and useful response.

• As you progress, you begin to value learning for its own
• sake as opposed to getting a better job

Levels of personal change in therapy

• 1. They become less defensive and more aware of
• their own feelings

2. More openness and growth of trust in themselves

• 3. Increasingly accept responsibility for what is
• happening in their lives and the direction it will take

Is simply the degree of worth attached to something

“Always tell the truth” vs. “Always be nice to others”

• The human brain may be your greatest asset. Exercise it
• throughout your lifetime to remain mentally sharp

• Try new experiences; stay connected to social support
• systems, read a variety of subject areas

• Men and women tend to value different things- can lead to
• disagreements

Men value strength and success more than women do. Men fear appearing physically or emotionally weak or any appearance of failure or inadequacy

Women value love and relationships more than men do. Women fear being unattractive or loveless or estranged from or unable to assist those they love.

right brain thinking, hunch, imagination

• Humans appear to be impelled to grow, becoming what we can
• be