1. The Evolution of Personality Theory: Humanistic Psychology

2. The Evolution of Personality Theory: Humanistic Psychology
Third-force Psychology
In the early 1960’s, a group of psychologists led by Abraham Maslow started a movement referred to as third- force psychology.
This was a reaction to the shortcomings (as they saw them) of behaviorism and psychoanalysis to deal fully with the human condition.
Humanistic psychology: emphasized human strengths, positive aspirations, conscious experience, free will, the fulfillment of human potential, and a belief in the wholeness of human nature
Influenced by:
Zeitgeist: anti-establishment counter culture

3. Abraham Maslow ( )
Been called the spiritual father of humanistic psychology
Initial proponent of behaviorism
Series of personal experiences led him to believe behaviorism was too limited to encompass enduring human issues
Also influenced by Adler, Horney, Koffka, and Wertheimer
Deeply affected by parade after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Forced U.S. into WWII
Led Maslow to begin study of development of psychology that would focus on the highest of human ideals

4. Abraham Maslow (1908–1970)
Driven to understand the greatest achievements of which we are capable
Studied a small sample of psychologically outstanding people to determine how they differed from those of average or normal mental health
Self-actualization: the full development of one’s abilities and the realization of one’s potential
We must first satisfy needs that stand lower in an innate hierarchy
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
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5. Self- actualized characteristics
Some characteristics of the self-actualized:
An objective perception of reality
A full acceptance of their own nature
A commitment and dedication to some kind of work
Simplicity and naturalness of behavior
A need for autonomy, privacy, and independence
Intense mystical or peak experiences
Empathy with and affection for all humanity
Resistance to conformity
A democratic character structure
An attitude of creativeness

6. Carl Rogers (1902–1987) Person-centered therapy:
Also proposed a personality theory based on a singular motivational factor
Unconditional positive regard: the unconditional love of a mother for her infant
Responsibility for improvement on the person or client rather than on the therapist
Personality is shaped by the present and how we consciously perceive it
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7. Carl Rogers ( )
Received PhD in clinical and educational psychology
Worked extensively with delinquent and disadvantaged youngsters
During teaching career, developed and refined theory of psychotherapy
After failure to help severely disturbed patient, Rogers experienced “nervous breakdown”
Self-confidence shattered, Rogers felt:
Certain of inadequacy as a therapist
Worthlessness as a person
Lacking any future in field of psychology

8. Self-Actualization
Believed that drive to actualize the self greatest motivating force in personality
Urge is innate, but may be helped/hindered by childhood experiences and learning
Emphasis on mother-child relationship
Positive regard: if mother satisfies infant’s need for love, infant will tend to develop healthy personality
Conditional regard: child will develop conditions of worth

9. Carl Rogers (1902–1987) (cont’d.)
Qualities of psychologically healthy persons:
An openness to, and a freshness of appreciation of, all experience
A tendency to live fully in every moment
The ability to be guided by their instincts rather than by reason or the opinions of others
A sense of freedom in thought and action
A high degree of creativity
The continual need to maximize their potential

10. The Fate of Humanistic Psychology
Humanistic psychologists offered a definition of psychology distinct from the other two forces in the field (behaviorism and psychoanalysis)
Separated from mainstream psychology:
Most humanistic psychologists were in clinical practice and not at universities
Timing of the humanist movement was poor
Strengthened the idea within psychoanalysis that people can shape their lives

11. Positive Psychology Recent development from humanist psychology
Focus on happiness, excellence, and optimal human functioning subjective well-being; the science of happiness, love and life
Research on satisfaction, interventions for enhanced well- being, leisure, peak performance, positive affectivity, emotional creativity, optimism, hope theory, goal-setting for life and happiness

12. Martin Seligman (1942--)
Introduced the science of happiness into American psychology
Call for positive psychology received enthusiastic response
2005 Harvard “Positive Psychology” had highest enrollment (855 students)
Today’s textbooks reference positive psychology topics:
Subjective well-being and science of happiness
Love and life satisfaction
Interventions for enhanced well-being
Peak performance and positive psychology on the job
Positive affectivity, emotional creativity, optimism, goal-setting

13. Martin Seligman (1942-) Does money make you happy?
Are certain variables more/less affected?
What about health and age?
Marriage?
Personality?
Big 5 traits?
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14. The Psychoanalytic Tradition in History
Much diversity within psychoanalysis following its introduction
Contemporary positions bear little resemblance to Freud’s views and can be labeled “psychoanalytic”
Psychoanalysis was more divided by its revisionist theorists than was behaviorism
Many of Freud’s followers agreed that the focus of study should remain on unconscious biological forces or that people are motivated by sex and aggression

15. Discussion Questions
What factors have been shown to affect subjective well- being? What factors can you list that influence your own happiness?