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logotherapy

n. an approach to psychotherapy that focuses on the “human predicament,” helping the client to overcome crises in meaning. The therapeutic process typically consists of examining three types of values: (a) creative (e.g., work, achievement), (b) experiential (e.g., art, science, philosophy, understanding, loving), and (c) attitudinal (e.g., facing pain and suffering). Each client is encouraged to arrive at his or her own solution, which should incorporate social responsibility and constructive relationships. Also called meaning-centered therapy. See also existential psychotherapy; existentialism. [developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Viktor E. Frankl]

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Psychology term of the day

January 3rd 2025

noncontingent reinforcement

noncontingent reinforcement

the process or circumstances in which a stimulus known to be effective as a reinforcer is presented independently of any particular behavior. Because contingencies may arise by accident (see accidental reinforcement), behavior-independent presentation of stimuli cannot guarantee that no contingency exists between a response and the stimuli. See reinforcement.