1. Module 41: Humanistic Theories of Personality

2.  In the 1960’s, some psychologists began to reject:  the dehumanizing ideas in Behaviorism, and  the dysfunctional view of people in Psychodynamic thought.  Maslow and Rogers sought to offer a “Third Force” in psychology: The Humanistic Perspective.  They studied healthy people rather than people with mental health problems.  Humanism: focusing on the conditions that support healthy personal growth. Humanistic Theories of Personality Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow

3. Maslow: The Self-Actualizing Person In Maslow’s view, people are motivated to keep moving up a hierarchy of needs, growing beyond getting basic needs met. In this ideal state, a personality includes being self-aware, self- accepting, open, ethical, spontaneous, loving caring, focusing on a greater mission than social acceptance. At the top of this hierarchy are self-actualization, fulfilling one’s potential, and self-transcendence.

4. Rogers agreed that people have natural tendencies to grow, become healthy, move toward self-actualization Acceptance, a.k.a Unconditional Positive Regard: acknowledging feelings, even problems, without passing judgment; honoring, not devaluing. Rogers’ Person-Centered Perspective Genuineness: Being honest, direct, not using a façade. Empathy: tuning into the feelings of others, showing your efforts to understand, listening well (NOT sympathy: people need to be heard, not to be pitied) The 3 conditions that facilitate growth (just as water, nutrients, and light facilitate the growth of a tree):

5.  In the humanistic perspective, the core of personality is the self- concept, our sense of our nature and identity  People are happiest with a self- concept that matches their ideal self  Thus, it is important to ask people to describe themselves as they are and as they ideally would like to be. Assessing the Self in Humanistic Psychology: Ideal Self vs. Actual Self Questionnaires can be used, but some prefer open interview. Questions about actual self: How do you see yourself? What are you like? What do you value? What are you capable of? If the answers do not match the ideal, self- acceptance may be needed, not just self-change

6.  Some say Rogers did not appreciate the human capacity for evil.  Rogers saw “evil” as a social phenomenon, not an individual trait:  “When I look at the world I’m pessimistic, but when I look at people I am optimistic.” – Rogers Critiquing the Humanist Perspective What about evil? Humanist response: Self-acceptance is not the end; it then allows us to move on from defending our own needs to loving and caring for others.

7. Some say that the pursuit of self-concept, an accepting ideal self, and self- actualization encouraged not self-transcendence but self- indulgence, self- centeredness. Humanist response: The therapist using this approach should not encourage selfishness, and should keep in mind that that “positive regard” means “acceptance,” not “praise. Critiquing the Humanist Perspective Too much self-centeredness?