Question

What aspects of Rollo May's theory do you see apply most often in your life? (Cite at least five examples in your own life to support your answer) Justify your answer with theory. (500 to 1000 words)

Answer 1

May is an existential psychologist. He was interested in reconciling existential psychology with other approaches.

• Innocence
  • Innocence is neither good nor bad but does have a will to fulfiil the individual's need.
  • Example.
    • When I was teaching grade 2 children about writing poems using rhyming words, a kid - Esita came up to me with a beautiful poem to be hung on the same wall.

Me: Is this your poem?

Esita: yes.

(Next day, I discovered that it was plagiarised)

Me: Esita, did you write this poem?

Esita: No! I found it in a book. It had no title or poet's name so I thought the poet does not want it. I gave it a title and wrote my name to make it mine.

• Rebellion
  • The want of freedom without the full understanding of the consequences
  • Example
    • When I was younger, I always wanted my parents to allow me to bunk classes and extra-curricular activities just so that I could spend some time with my friends. Not understanding the consequences like - it would help me get into better college - better scholarships or simply learn more skills.

• Myths
  • Stories that help us make sense of the world - guiding narratives
    • Example
    • Whenever I think that I have been treated unfairly or misused/abused, I go back to the theory of karma in Bhagwatgita. It somehow keeps me calm and assures me that it's going to be okay.

• Destiny
  • Limits that forces individuals to struggle for their freedom.
  • Failure to acknowledge destiny, leads to unhealthy attachment to possibilities
    • Example
    • I loved a guy who told me that he wasn't a relationship guy. His 'almost' and 'maybe' lead me to believe that we stood a chance - possibilities. I struggled to accept the relationship's destiny and it lead to me undergoing complicated grief.

• Creative
  • An individual who accepts destiny (beyond ego) and faces anxiety with courage.
    • Example
    • A friend of mine wanted to open a mental health foundation in India; and was told that it will never be successful since it is a taboo.
    • She did not have enough financial support and put in her own savings of two years, left a comfortable (9 to 5) job and opened the foundation despite the stigma and other problems.