Which theoretical orientation includes existential and phenomenological approaches?

The correct choice is humanist, as this theoretical orientation prominently incorporates existential and phenomenological approaches. Humanist psychology emphasizes individual experience, personal growth, and self-actualization, aligning closely with existential perspectives that focus on personal meaning and existence. Phenomenology also fits within this framework, as it is concerned with individuals' subjective experiences and perceptions, highlighting how these shape their understanding of the world.

In contrast, behaviorism is centered on observable behaviors and the principles of conditioning, largely ignoring internal thoughts and emotions. Psychoanalytic theory, founded by Freud, prioritizes unconscious processes and early childhood experiences, deviating significantly from the humanist focus on conscious experience and self-identity. Symbolic interactionism, while it examines social interactions and the meanings individuals derive from them, does not specifically engage with the existential and phenomenological approaches that define humanist psychology. Therefore, humanist theory is the most aligned with both existential and phenomenological orientations.