The Humanistic Perspective

The Humanistic Perspective

The humanistic perspective was embraced due to discontent with Freud.

Humanistic perspective believes that people are innately good and claims that people choose their destinies through free will.

Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualization (remember hierarchy of needs?)

“If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you'll be unhappy for the rest of your life."

- Abraham Maslow

Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualization (remember hierarchy of needs?) We ultimately strive for self-actualization once

our other needs are met (physiological, safety, love, self-esteem)

Self-actualization – The motivation to fulfill one’s potential. Maslow claims this is the ultimate psychological need. VIDEO- Unlocking You, Human Needs, Self Actualization, How to, Maslow, Humanistic Psychology - YouTube

Maslow studied healthy subjects. Maslow based his definition for self-actualization

on successful people that led productive lives Ex. Lincoln, Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt These people were self-aware and motivated by peak

experiences

Carl Rogers’ Person Centered Theory

People are innately good

To grow, people need a healthy climate – which includes genuineness, acceptance, and empathy

"In my early professionals years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?” – Carl Rogers

To self-actualize…

Our growth toward self-actualization is fostered through genuine people

Transparent, real, open about feelings To self-actualize people need unconditional

positive regard (acceptance) Q What does it mean to be judgemental?

Ex. your parents love you no matter what Unconditional positive regard is extending grace. Just like on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people need

to feel loved and a sense of belongingness before they can self-actualize.

Growth is nurtured through empathy Empathy is the feeling of concern for another person/

imagining yourself in their circumstances

Carl Rogers

Video – Carl Rogers discussing key concepts before the Gloria session.

Carl Rogers (cont.) Self-concept – our thoughts and

feelings about ourselves that answer the question, “Who am I?” Rogers believes that we should all try

to help one another realize who we are and accept that person.

High self-concept = high self-esteem Self-concept develops through our

interaction with others.

Evaluation and Criticism of the Humanistic Perspective Influenced several realms of psychology

(counseling, parenting, etc.) Many have embraced the positive self-concept –

idea that we are innately good Humanistic perspective concepts are subjective and

vague (2nd para. 589) The humanistic perspective leads to self-indulgence.

60’s/70’s generation. Perspective fails to acknowledge our capacity for

evil. Ex. People say: “explain Hitler”

Rogers responds with the belief that “evil springs from toxic cultural influences”

Behaviorist Perspective on Personality

Personality is determined by our environment not internal conflicts.

Reinforcement and punishment shape your personality.

By changing our environments, we can change our personality, according to the behaviorists.

Behaviorists and Personality

Believed that humans do NOT have free will.

Ex. You are respectful and friendly to people when you are young, your parents reinforce you through complements such as : “what a nice boy”.

Behaviorist Perspective on Personality

Thorndike – Law of Effect Rewarded behavior is more likely to

occur Skinner

Shaping behavior through reinforcement and punishment

Positive and negative reinforcement Positive and negative punishment

Behaviorist Perspective on Personality

Our personality is largely a by-product of watching others and through rewards

Complete Behaviorists/Humanists sheet.

Biological Perspective on Personality

Our personality is determined by our genes and body types.  

Genes can play a role in our temperaments – emotional style of dealing with the world.

According to biological theorists, babies are born with varying temperaments.

Temperaments affect our personality

Biological Perspective on Psychology

William Sheldon Somatotype theory – our body

types are associated with our personality Fat (Endomorphs) – friendly, outgoing,

tolerant, sociable, relaxed, need for affection

Muscular (Mesomorphs) – aggressive, courageous, assertive, bold, competitive

Biological perspective on Personality

Thin (Ectomorphs) – shy, secretive, artistic, thoughtful, introverted, inhibited

Criticism is that Sheldon’s research only shows a correlation between body type and personality. This theory is not widely accepted due to lack of research and validity. REMEMBER – Correlation does not equal

causation