Question

Irvin Yalom found that cancer patients in group therapy experience many inner changes. Which of the following is NOT one of his findings?

A) Increased feelings of hope
B) Acceptance of death
C) Decreased existential anxiety
D) Decreased sense of meaning

Answer 1

Irvin Yalom's findings on group therapy for cancer patients include increased feelings of hope and decreased existential anxiety. However, decreased sense of meaning is not one of his findings.

Step-by-step explanation:

Irvin Yalom's findings on group therapy for cancer patients shows that they experience several inner changes. According to Yalom, one of the findings is increased feelings of hope. This means that participating in group therapy can help cancer patients feel more hopeful about their situation. However, decreased sense of meaning is not one of Yalom's findings. In fact, Yalom found that group therapy can help patients find meaning in their lives despite their illness.

Answer 2

Irvin Yalom's findings include increased feelings of hope, acceptance of death, and decreased existential anxiety for cancer patients in group therapy, but not decreased sense of meaning. The latter is actually often increased, giving patients a greater sense of purpose during their therapy experience. (option d)

Step-by-step explanation:

Irvin Yalom found that cancer patients who engaged in group therapy experience significant inner changes. However, the option in the question that is NOT one of his findings is D) Decreased sense of meaning. Based on Yalom's findings, many patients often find a greater, not decreased, sense of meaning in their lives as they address existential issues.

In contrast, Kübler-Ross's model, which includes stages such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, shows that acceptance of death is often a stage individuals reach, reflecting an increased sense of meaning in life.

Moreover, individuals tend to experience decreased existential anxiety as they come to grips with their mortality, which is in line with Yalom's findings of inner changes like increased feelings of hope and acceptance of death. These feelings can act as a buffer against despair and offer a new perspective on life's value, which enhances the therapy experience for many patients. It is also worth noting that some people with strong religious or spiritual beliefs might cope better with the concept of death due to the comfort provided by the hope in an afterlife and community support.

Hence, the answer is option d