AP Psychology HUMANISTIC PERSONALITY THEORIES
Feb 23, 2016
AP Psychology
HUMANISTIC PERSONALITY
THEORIES
A perspective that focuses on the study of conscious experience and the individual’s self awareness and freedom to choose.
Interested in the capacity for personal growth & self-fulfillment with an emphasis on human potential.
Sees people as innately good.Studies fulfilled and healthy individuals
rather than troubled peopleFelt other theories were too deterministic
and denied the importance of free will
HUMANISTIC PERSPECTIVE
ABRAHAM MASLOW SELF-
ACTUALIZATION
ABRAHAM MASLOW (1908-1970)
Humanistic psychologist who developed the hierarchy of needs
Believed that self-actualization is the ultimate psychological need of reaching one’s potential.
MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
• According to Maslow, the need to live up to one’s fullest and unique potential
• Characteristics include:–Self aware and self accepting–Open, spontaneous, loving, and
caring–Not paralyzed by other’s opinions–Focused on a particular task
ABRAHAM MASLOW: SELF-ACTUALIZATION
ANOTHER WAY TO THINK ABOUT THE HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
Carl Rogers
DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY
Actualizing tendency—the most basic human motive that is the innate drive to maintain and enhance the ourselves
CARL ROGERS-DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY
An example of the actualizing tendency is the “little voice” within us to try harder and never give up.
ACTUALIZING TENDENCY
Some people believe that competitiveness cannot be taught; but rather is something that resides inside a person. In other words, it is something you are born with, or is innate.
ACTUALIZING TENDENCY
Self-concept—how you think about yourself
Affected by….Positive regard—conditional and unconditional – the sense of be loved and valued by other people.
CARL ROGERS
Person is valued and loved only when the he/she behaves in a way that is acceptable to others.I will love you IF you get good grades.
CONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD
Can lead to incongruence – a state in which a child’s self-concept conflicts with their own experience.
CONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD WILL HELP TO CREATE…
An attitude of total acceptance toward another person despite their faults and failings
This is needed for one to grow up healthy and be congruent.
Based on genuineness & empathy
UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD
Congruence – A person’s sense of self is consistent with their emotions & experiences.Your real self is similar to your ideal self
UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD WILL HELP TO CREATE…
Carl RogersViewed people as
positive, forward-moving, constructive, realistic and trustworthy. People are innately good Humans will choose to
act in ways that serve to improve society and perpetuate the human race.
Sigmund FreudPessimistically
viewed humans as hostile, antisocial, destructive & evilWe need society restraints/laws to keep humans in line and prevent the destruction of the human race.
COMPARING ROGERS TO FREUD
EVALUATING THE HUMANISTIC
PERSPECTIVE
EVALUATING HUMANISM
Humanism has influenced therapy, child-rearing, and the workplace
Laid the foundation for positive psychology – studying what is right about people
CRITICISMS OF HUMANISM
Difficult to test or validate scientifically
Tends to be too optimisticHas a hard time explaining some of the more destructive aspects of human nature wars & human cruelty