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Klaus
Grawe and the four basic human needs
Klaus
Grawe (2004, 2007), one of the founding fathers of
Neusopsychotherapy, describes our brain as a network of processes
between neurons and synapses (Grawe, 2007, p. 31,40). As the
person seeks to satisfy their basic needs, every sensory
experience has a meaning and will be stored in the memory system,
creating a pattern of behaviour in the brain (Grawe, 2007, p. 5).
According to Grawe, the four basic human needs are orientation and
control, attachment, pleasure maximisation and distress avoidance,
self-esteem enhancement and self-esteem protection (Grawe, 2007,
p. 171). These needs can only be satisfied through a mental
process called consistency regulation, by developing, from
childhood, motivational schemas and goals of approach or avoidance
(Grawe, 2007, p. 168).
Drawing
on the extensive work of Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1988, 2008),
Grawe's Consistency Regulation model describes how we develop
avoidance or approach schemas and goals in order to satisfy our
basic needs, as well as the different types of attachment
relationships that we will have with people throughout life:
Secure
attachment relationship
A
baby who has their needs satisfied by their mother, experiences
positive emotions, which are stored in the baby's memory system,
activating patterns of approach schemas and goals, secure control
expectancy, as well as developing secure attachment relationship
(Grawe, 2007, p. 175).
Insecure
avoidance attachment
If
the baby does not have their needs satisfied, but instead, is
constantly rejected or neglected, fear response is activated in
the brain (Grawe, 2007, p. 175). Approach schemas and goals are
inhibited and they will develop an insecure avoidance attachment
(Grawe, 2007, p. 175). They will avoid intimacy, with no signs of
distress (Grawe, 2007, p. 175).
Insecure
ambivalent attachment
When
the mother attends the child's needs erratically, they will
develop an insecure ambivalent attachment (Grawe, 2007, pp.
175-176). The approach and avoidance schemas and goals are
concurrently activated (Grawe, 2007, pp. 175-176). The child will
seek closeness, but have no secure control expectancy, resulting
in them being stressed by constantly being concerned about losing
intimacy with the loved object (Grawe, 2007, pp. 175-176).
Insecure
and disorganised attachment
When
the baby is rejected and abused, the attachment will be insecure
and disorganised, causing bizarre behaviour (Grawe, 2007, p. 176).
Insecure
and disorganised attachment and stress
Throughout
life, every person experiences stressful moments (Grawe, 2007, pp.
218). When a threatening situation arises, a signal is sent to the
limbic system via sensory experiences (Grawe, 2007, pp. 220). This
increases the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and
adrenaline, initiating the fight-or-flight response to threat and
regulating the body's response to stress and danger (Grawe, 2007,
pp. 220). However, long term stress exposure (which is the case of
those with insecure and disorganised attachment relationships)
increases the production of stress hormones, damaging several
neural areas, producing symptoms of anxiety or panic, as well as
increasing the risk of physical and psychological disorders
(Grawe, 2007, pp. 220-224).
There
is hope
Due
to the plasticity of the brain, where synapse connections are
modified by experience, the network of neurons is continually
changing (Grawe, 2007, p.8). One of Grawe's most important
findings is that psychotherapy can change this neural brain
activity (Draguns, 2007).
Klaus
Grawe and the four basic human needs:
Attachment - Control - Self-esteem enhancement - Pleasure Maximisation
In
order to satisfy these needs or protect them from violation we
develop:
Motivational Schemes and Goals:
Approach:
Avoidance:
who
has their needs of love, protection, who does not have
their needs
security,
support satisfied by her mother satisfied by their mother
2.
Will experience positive emotions, 2. Will experience
negative
which
will become part of their memory emotions, which will
become part
system
of
their memory system, activating
3.
The child will develop neural fear response,
incongruence and
pathways
which will facilitate activation of constant stress
4.
Approach schemas and goals, 3. The child will develop
neural
secure
control expectancy, no fear pathways which will
facilitate
response,
safety and secure
activation of avoidance patterns
attachment
and
goals, incongruence, fear
5.
The child's mental state will be response and
constant stress
regulated
and achieve well-being 3.1 Constantly rejection
develops:
Insecure
Avoidance attachment
(*approach schemas and goals
are
inhibited
*
the child will avoid proximity
with
no signs of distress)
3.2
Rejection
only sometimes:
Insecure
Ambivalent Attachment
(*approach
and avoidance schemas
and
goals will be activated
*child
will seek contact and
avoid
loss of intimacy, seeking
intimacy
with aggressive
rejection,
anxiety, tension, no
control
of results.
3.3
Rejection and Abuse:
Insecure
Disorganised attachment
(*bizarre
and stereotyped behaviour
*child's
mental state inconsistent
*child
will not achieve wellness but
pathology,
with social insecurity,
tension,
stress, no control
expectancy,
constant vigilant, their
perceptual
system will be oriented
to
detect negative events in order
to
avoid them) Rossouw
(2011)
PACFA Reg. Provisional 25212 MCouns, MQCA(Clinical)
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