The humanistic approach to personality

Humanistic psychology A strong reaction to both behaviorism and psychodynamics We make conscious decisions about the direction of our lives We look forward, not controlled by a past history of reinforcement/punishment or repressed trauma

Discards the limits of behaviorism – no experiments Denies the negativity of psychodynamics – we are, at our core, good and striving to get better Focuses on our natural progress towards fully developing our potential

Abraham Maslow Initially sold on behaviorism Questioned when he read Freud Everything changed after the birth of his first child, he looked beyond both Decided that we spend too much time on the mentally ill to understand mental health Focus on the strong. Want to run fast? Don’t study cripples.

More Maslow 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, a progression towards fulfillment.

The hierarchy An organization from the most necessary needs to those we turn to when the others are satisfied Appealing Widely applied But little evidence Some ignore levels

The self-actualized Initially, based upon two of his favorite instructors Achieve qualities that must be developed A path more than a goal “What a man can do, he must do.”

What it takes To perceive reality accurately To be independent & creative To solve problems To accept yourself To have a sense of humor To enjoy life

who qualifies? Eleanor Roosevelt Gandhi Jefferson Lincoln So few, changed from a destination to a path.

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”

Carl Rogers Conservative background Postconventional experiences at Madison A career blessed with success Continuous work as a therapist – 15 to 20 hrs/week for decades

A new type of therapy Rogers enjoyed consistent success in therapy Needed a theory to explain this Person connected theory – to see everything from the patient’s perspective A common sense, easy to understand approach to mental illness and the therapist/patient relationship

fundamentals We are rational – but we don’t always act that way We are aware, we know what we want We have a self-concept which filters our perceptions Everything is fine if our self-concept lines up with reality If not, trouble

The prize We all have an actualizing tendency We are engaged in a life-long struggle to reach our potential The problem is defensiveness The solution/goal is Openness to Experience, living life for the moment, trusting our instincts Sound familiar? Remember the Big 5?

Another view Rev. John S. Dunne – expert on “life paths” John Paul’s designee How do you live your life? Two options

The search for certainty Do you live your life trying to confirm and establish to yourself and others that you “are” what you hold most dear? The smartest? The hippest? The sexiest? Someone’s significant other? The best athlete? The “best” at anything?

The inevitable frustration of yearning for certainty. If your life is a never-ending battle to live up to such a standard, don’t expect to ever be at peace. Times, circumstances, and people change.

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. Don’t despair. Be ready. Don’t limit yourself. Be open to experience the unexpected possibilities this chaotic but wonderful world offers you.

Therapy essentials A Rogerian therapist must: 1) Be genuine; 2) Exhibit unconditional positive regard for their patients – don’t judge; 3) Be sympathetic, empathetic and understanding. Let them solve their own problems Reflect the patient’s content and feeling

But …. Would this style of therapy work for everyone? Rogers dealt with a narrow range of clients: young attractive verbal/intelligent social All self referred.