16 Existential and Humanistic Psychology: The Historical Analysis of logotherapy and Influences of Viktor Frankl

Learning Objectives (Mia)

1. Explain the historical roots of logotherapy and how Viktor Frankl influenced the development of this theory.
2. Describe the strengths of logotherapy and its influences on other therapeutic techniques used today.
3. Illustrate the criticisms and of logotherapy and describe responses to the therapy

Introduction (Mia)

logotherapy is a type of therapy and philosophy that was developed in the 1930s by Austrian psychiatrist and philosopher Viktor Frankl, before he was sent to multiple concentration camps during the holocaust in World War II (Laengle et al, 2019). The therapeutic approach is geared at helping people overcome spiritual suffering and existential confusion (Madeson, M., 2020). This paper will examine the historical roots of logotherapy, dive into the life of Viktor Frankl and how he influenced the development of the theory, identify the gaps in knowledge including why Viktor Frankl’s work is not as widely known, criticisms and responses from the field of psychology, as well as the strengths and influences on other therapeutic techniques used today. Overall, it’s important to understand the life and work of Viktor Frankl, as he offers valuable insights into human suffering and resilience. Surviving one of history’s most traumatic catastrophes, Frankl tested his own theory on finding inner strength to survive extreme hardships (Laengle et al, 2019), which provides us with a deep insight into the field of existential psychology and logotherapy’s place within it.

Historical Overview – Frankl’s Professional Life (Kit)

Viktor E. Frankl was a Jewish philosopher, psychologist, and doctor born in Vienna, Austria, who would also tragically become a holocaust survivor (Corey, 2019). Frankl showed interest in medicine at a very young age and as a teenager sought an academic relationship with Freud, who would submit Frankl’s early writing on mimicry to an academic journal to be published (Range, 200). As a medical student at the University of Vienna, Frankl was already working as a psychotherapist and established Youth Advisement Centres all around Vienna in 1928, which he continued to direct until 1938, eight years after he earned his medical degree, and six years alongside work at a hospital in Vienna working with suicidal patients (Range, 2000; Corey, 2019). It was during these experiences that Frankl began considering the therapeutic applications of existentialist ideas that would later develop into logotherapy. Working in a hospital protected him for most of the war, but in 1942, Frankl was imprisoned with his family in Nazi concentration camps, where he lost his parents, siblings, wife, and children, but survived until the end of World War II (Corey, 2019). Several years after the war and his release from the camps, Frankl returned to the University of Vienna and earned a PhD in philosophy and continued on as an associate professor (Corey, 2019). As his works gained traction internationally, Frankl’s career path took him through Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the United States as a traveling lecturer, and several distinguished universities as a guest professor (Corey, 2019), until eventually staying in the U.S.A. Though he published many articles through his career on existentialism, philosophy, medicine, and his new approach to psychotherapy called logotherapy, his book Man’s Search for Meaning published in 1963 was his best seller and was translated into over 20 languages (Corey, 2019).

Historical Overview 2 (Molly)

Victor Frankl was heavily influenced through the works of Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. In his earlier years, while studying at the same secondary school that Freud had attended years prior, Frankl became intrigued by Freud’s approaches to psychoanalysis and his ideas of the unconscious mind (Devoe, 2012). After eventually diverging from the Freudian school of thought, Frankl became increasingly interested in Adler’s individual psychology, which focused on the individual’s unique sense of self and the pursuit of self-actualization (Devoe, 2012). However, it was Frankl’s own experiences, particularly his time spent in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, that played a pivotal role in shaping his ideas and approach to psychology (Devoe, 2012). Frankl’s encounter with extreme suffering and loss, led him to test his framework for logotherapy and the idea that we can discover meaning in life, even though unavoidable suffering. Frankl’s logotherapy emerged in the 1930’s and is commonly known as a humanistic-existentialist school of thought (Madeson, 2020). Unlike Freud’s psychoanalysis and Adler’s individual psychology, logotherapy is centered around guiding people in their fundamental search for meaning and purpose (Madeson, 2020).

Gaps in Knowledge (Mia)

There seems to be lower recognition for Viktor Frankl’s work in the realm of existential psychology and there could be several reasons for this. The first being that Frankl was born in Vienna, home of two of the most prominent figures in modern-day psychology including Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler (VFISA, 2024). Since his theories were emerging during a time when other psychologists were gaining widespread attention in the field, his work may have been overshadowed. It is also important to consider the historical context during this period as logotherapy came about just prior to World War II, and learning new theories in psychology may have not been a priority for society during this time. Additionally, there were criticisms being made regarding the scientific validity of logotherapy, and whether it should be considered a philosophy rather than a scientific psychotherapeutic school (Weisskopf-Joelson, E., 1975). As mentioned previously, it’s important to learn about Viktor Frankl and logotherapy because he provides deep insights into navigating extreme hardships and tested his own theories while surviving multiple concentration camps during the holocaust.

Major Point #1 (Mia): Background and emergence of logotherapy and Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl was born on March 26th, 1905 in Vienna, Austria, to his mother Elsa and father Gabriel (VFISA, 2024). Frankl did well academically and corresponded with Freud throughout his teenage years, also sending him an essay he wrote on psychoanalysis (VFISA, 2024). Frankl went on to graduate highschool and continued his education in medicine, eventually became in charge of a Vienna psychiatric ward for treating suicidal women (VFISA, 2024). Viktor Frankl was influenced by Freud and Adler’s methods of therapy (Madeson., M, 2020), and ended up opening his own practice in neurology and psychiatry in 1937 (VFISA, 2024). Frankl thought it was important to intertwine aspects of spirituality and philosophy in psychotherapy, which prompted the emergence of his theory ‘logotherapy’ and essentially means the discovery of meaning (Leangle et al, 2019). One year after opening his practice, Germany invaded Austria and although Viktor had an American visa he ended up staying out of concern for his elderly parents’ safety (VFISA, 2024). It is surprising that Viktor Frankl came up with logotherapy, a philosophical theory regarding the importance of cultivating strength to deal with life’s toughest challenges and discovering the meaning of life, prior to being imprisoned in four concentration camps (Leangle et al, 2019). Viktor Frankl was able to test his own theory on how to survive life’s hardest moments, and wrote a book titled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning (1963)’ after losing his wife and parents in the concentration camp (VFISA, 2024).

Major Point #2 (Molly)

The strength of logotherapy and its influences on therapeutic techniques being used Today.

Logotherapy, known for its focus on uncovering meaning in life and reducing depressive symptoms, has been shown to boost self-confidence (Kim & Choi, 2021). Kim and Choi conducted a study examining the efficacy of a group logotherapy program for older adults with depressive symptoms, using a mixed-methods approach (2021). Their findings indicated significant differences between the intervention and control groups, particularly in terms of changes related to purpose in life, depression, self-esteem and quality of life over the program’s duration (Kim & Choi, 2021). Another study, aimed at addressing the sense of meaninglessness and existential vacuum among paralyzed in-patients, utilized a 16-week logotherapy program (Julom & Guzmán, 2023). Results revealed that participants in the experimental group experienced significant improvements in their levels of meaning, contrasting with the unchanged status of those in the control group (Julom & Guzmán, 2023). These findings suggest that the logotherapy program was effective in helping individuals find meaning in their lives, particularly in challenging circumstances, highlighting its potential to promote overall well-being for those facing significant adversity.  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals develop psychological flexibility by teaching them to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than feeling guilty for them (Ackerman, 2017). Rooted in the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), it places a greater emphasis on mindfulness, acceptance and meaning-centered living. Although not directly derived from logotherapy, ACT shares similarities with Frankl’s approach by emphasizing the identification and cultivation of meaning in life, rather than dwelling on the negative (Hayes et al., 2006). Both ACT and logotherapy prioritize the search for meaning and purpose in life as central to psychological well-being. Frankl’s logotherapy asserts that meaning-seeking is a primary motivator for individuals, while ACT encourages individuals to align their actions with their core values. Additionally, both therapies address existential concerns, such as the search for meaning, experience of suffering, and the inevitability of death, helping individuals confront these dilemmas and find fulfillment in the face of adversity. They both adopt a holistic perspective on human experience, recognizing the interconnectedness of thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and values.

Major Point #3 (Kit)

Criticisms of logotherapy

Rollo May, a fellow existential psychologist and one of logotherapy’s greatest critiques, was also a student of Alfred Adler and strongly influenced by Freud and Adler’s psychoanalysis: however, his existential philosophies were rooted in heavy influence from Kierkegaard’s writings on anxiety (Corey, 2019). May praised Frankl’s book From Death-Camp to Existentialism: A Psychiatrists Path to a New Therapy (1961) for its account of real-life application of existentialism in horrific conditions that make for the truest test of Frankl’s theory (May, 1969). May summarizes logotherapy in three points in his popular book Existential Psychology (1969), in no particular separation of critique or praise that a) Frankl makes an assumption that clients are seeking therapy more often for non-symptomatic feelings related to lack of meaning b) Frankl asserts that meaning should be the focus of psychiatry, especially regarding goals and mortality, and c) the use of “reciprocal intention” (an intervention where a client is “given permission” to act on a behavior subject to a compulsive thought in order to relieve the symptoms of anticipatory anxiety) is an example of logotherapy demonstrating the emphasis of will and decision in practice. May writes that “the assets of this kind of therapy are obvious (1969, p. 42)” but immediately criticizes the approach to be close to authoritarian and contradictory of the principles of existentialism (and even humanism) (May, 1969). May is also seen critiquing logotherapy and Frankl’s practice alongside Bulka with defenses by Frankl in a series of published notes in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology  in 1978 in response to an article by Bulka also critiquing logotherapy for potentially being too close to authoritarianism (Bulka, 1978; May, 1978; Frankl, 1978; May, 1978). Though these notes do highlight the specificities of each perspective, this exchange should be taken with a metaphorical grain of salt, as the exchanges do have undertones of patriarchal ego.

In an address for the International Forum for Logotherapy Journal (1981), Frankl mentions some aspects of logotherapy that are scrutinized by the field, even if the father of logotherapy himself doesn’t believe they are downsides. The first of those mentioned is that he has no direction for logotherapy and leaves it up to the logotherapists of the future, despite their obvious differences in philosophy and practice.  Frankl is exceptionally unlike his predecessors Freud and Adler in that he believes that since he has developed the foundation of logotherapy, the future of logotherapy does not depend on his framework or ideologies but is completely up to the upcoming logotherapists- even if their philosophy and practice differ from each other. The lack of definitive structure often sits uneasily with societies used to a system (Frankl, 1981). A previous concern was that it’s difficult for a practice with little structure to be backed up scientifically, but after many years and scholars, the effectiveness of logotherapy’s principles were gaining empirical evidence, and Frankl laments that the practice had become too scientific, as it was always meant to be more open than the results of scientific findings (Frankl, 1981). As with any social science, criticisms of an approach are often going to be the positives for other people. The effectiveness is in the lasting results of those using the services.

Conclusion (Molly)

Victor Frankl’s contributions to existential psychology, particularly through the development of logotherapy, represent a significant milestone in the understanding of human resilience and existential suffering. The value of Frankl’s personal experience in concentration camps give his contributions unique credibility and resonance, providing a solid foundation for his therapeutic approach. Through a combination of existential philosophy and psychotherapeutic principles, Frankl provided a framework for exploring the quest for meaning amidst diversity and suffering. Despite profound insights offered by Frankl’s work, there remains a gap in recognition in the field of existential psychology – specifically May’s critiques on Frankl’s assumptions about therapy seekers’ motivations and logotherapy’s emphasis on meaning. Critiques surrounding the scientific validity of logotherapy highlight ongoing debates regarding its classification as a therapeutic modality versus a philosophical framework. While these criticisms warrant consideration, empirical evidence demonstrating the efficacy of logotherapy in addressing depressive symptoms and fostering a sense of purpose highlights its relevance in modern mental health care. Logotherapy is an important style of therapy and philosophy in the realm of existential psychology, even though it does have criticisms, controversies, and limitations- it is also considered to be an effective form of therapy and should receive more recognition in the field.

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