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The humanistic approach
to personality
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Humanistic
psychology
A strong reaction to both behaviorism
andpsychodynamics
We make conscious decisions aboutthe direction of our lives
We look forward, not controlled by a
pasthistory of
reinforcement/punishment or
repressed trauma
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Abraham Maslow
Initially sold on behaviorism
Questioned when he read Freud
Everything changed after the birth of hisfirst child, he looked beyond both
Decided that we spend too much time on
the mentally illto understand mentalhealth
Focus on the strong. Want to run fast?
Dont study cripples.
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MoreMaslow
Devised a holistic theory - look at people
as whole, functioning organisms
Skinner deprived his rats & pigeons, then
made inferences from their behavior to
humans
What if we had everything we needed ?
A truly human motivation would emerge, aprogression towards fulfillment.
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The hierarchy
An organization from the most
necessary needs to those we turn to
when the others are satisfied
Appealing
Widely applied
But little evidenceSome ignore levels
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The self-actualized
Initially, based upon two of his
favorite instructors
Achieve qualities that must bedeveloped
A path more than a goal
What a man can do, he must
do.
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What it takes
To perceive reality accurately
To be independent & creative
To solve problems
To accept yourself
To have a sense of hu
mor
To enjoy life
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who qualifies?
Eleanor Roosevelt
Gandhi
JeffersonLincoln
So few, changed from a destination toa path.
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How would you
know?
Peak experiences moments when
you feel truly fulfilled, content and at
peace
Your powers and abilities come
together in an intensely enjoyable
way
Flow experiences
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Carl Rogers 1902-1987
Conservative background
Postconventional experiences at
MadisonA career blessed with success
Continuous work as a therapist
15 to 20 hrs/week for decades
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A new type of
therapy
Rogers enjoyed consistent success in
therapy
Needed a theory to explain thisPerson connected theory to see
everything from the patients
perspective
A common sense, easy to understand
approach to mental illness and the
therapist/patient relationship
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fundamentals
We are rational but we dont always
act that way
We are aware, we know what wewant
We have a self-conceptwhich filters
our perceptions
Everything is fine if ourself-concept
lines up with reality
If not, trouble
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The prize
We all have an actualizing tendency
We are engaged in a life-long struggleto reach our potential
The problem is defensiveness
The solution/goal is OpennesstoExperience, living life for the
moment, trusting our instinctsSound familiar? Remember the Big5?
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Another view
Rev. John S. Dunne expert on
life paths
John Pauls designeeHow do you live your life?
Two options
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The search for
certainty
Do you live your life trying to confirmand establish to yourself and othersthat you are what you hold most
dear?The smartest? The hippest?
The sexiest? Someones significant
other?The best athlete?
The best at anything?
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The inevitable
frustration of
yearning for
certainty.
If your life is a never-ending battle to
live up to such a standard, dont
expect to ever be at peace.
Times, circumstances, and people
change.
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Instead
Look at your life as a Quest for
Discovery.
In the future, somewhere else, you might
not have the status or position you crave.
Dont despair. Be ready. Dont limit
yourself.
Be open to experience the unexpectedpossibilities this chaotic but wonderful
world offers you.
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Therapy essentials
A Rogerian therapist must:
1) Be genuine;
2) Exhibit unconditional positiveregardfor their patients dont judge;
3) Be sympathetic, empathetic and
understanding.Let them solve their own problems
Reflect the patients content and
feeling
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But .
Would this style of therapy work for
everyone?
Rogers dealt with a narrow range ofclients: young
attractive
verbal/intelligentsocial
All selfreferred.