Comparison

UTCP has significant overlap with many major (and minor) psychological theories. Here is a breakdown of those comparisons.

Psychodynamics

Psychodynamics identified that unconscious drivers were the base mechanism behind behaviour and cognition. The difference is that Psychodynamics focuses on the origin of that mechanism (usually issues in childhood), whereas UTCP focusses on how that mechanism works in the present moment (Script).

Seligman’s PERMA Model

Seligman’s PERMA model identifies five components that are necessary for Flourishing. They are Positive Emotions, Engagement, (Positive) Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement. This aligns with UTCP.

Positive emotions are the positive affect component that is the subjective experience achieved when an individual moves closer to achieving their intrinsically significant goal and fulfiling their psychological needs. Engagement is achieved in Psychostasis when the perceived challenge, skills, and resources necessary align in the pursuit of an intrinsically significant goal. Relationships relate to the fulfilment of the psychological need of connection and inclusion. Meaning and achievement are both psychological needs, though ‘meaning’ is referred to as ‘contribution’ in UTCP.