Article - Theoretical Orientation/Comparative Essay

Article

Theoretical Orientation/Comparative Essay (Due Wednesday 10/9 by 11:00 am)

Snapshot description: The basic task of this 2-3 pg paper is to choose the theory that most appeals to you, explain why, in terms of your own personal experiences and/or logical analysis, then compare/contrast it with a competing theory.

Detailed description:  This final writing assignment has two components.

Part A:  First, I'd like you to discuss your "  theoretical orientation."  You might wonder what is meant by "theoretical orientation" -- In a nutshell- it's the theory to which you find yourself oriented, i.e., the one you think stands above the others as most useful or valid. 

This task is  no  t about developing a theory of your own; it's about forming a sort of intellectual commitment to an existing theoretical framework and providing an explanation about why you endorse that theory.  Evaluation will not be based on which theory you choose. Please choose that which appeals to you. 

Spend some time thinking about everything you've learned and consider one approach from the book that seems especially valid and/or useful to you.

*Please assume the reader (your professor) is already quite knowledgeable about the theory.  Do not devote page space to summarizing the theory! Instead, focus on explaining why you are drawn to the theory, what aspects of the theory you agree with and especially why. Think about its explanatory or practical utility.

 Also examine any aspects of the theory you might disagree with, and why.

*The key task is to present a coherent description of how  you've come to favor this theory as a result of  your personal experiences and/or worldview. Therefore, a first person narrative style is recommended for this paper.

Part B:  The second component of this paper is to compare/contrast the theory you favor with any other theory. You may choose to select a comparison theory that has some shared features or one that is substantially different. Discuss possible applications of each theory, noting any specific situations in which the comparison theory may be more useful than your preferred theory.

Notes:

Theory that appeals to me is: Carl Rogers-Self Actualization Theory

His theory was based on his own life experiences. An essential aspect of his theory is that a person must first recognize the need to change their personality. The personality is a unique quality that sets them apart from others. I previously worked for the State of Alabama as a Financial Support Supervisor where all my clients and coworkers acknowledged me as a person with an incredible personality. It became a trait that I have tried to maintain in all aspects of life. Carl Rogers theory, ideas, and beliefs on character became helpful to me with this course.

My Comparison Theory is: Sigmund Freud’s: Psychoanalysis

Rogers has a positive perspective of the ideal-self while Freud ideal is geared toward a negative one. We all like to told about the good things in our life rather than the bad or negative things. Our personality is what makes all of us different and unique. After my retirement, I am constantly being told by my previous clients and coworkers that more supervisors with great personalities are needed to handle jobs with client/worker interactions