Chapter Two: Theories of Personality

The Humanist Tradition

INTRODUCTION

Personality is shaped by our uniquely human capacity to shape our future.

WHAT'S AHEAD

• How does the humanist vision of human nature differ from the visions of behaviorism and psychoanalysis?
• In the humanist view, what's wrong with saying to a child, "I love you because you've been good"?

KEY CONCEPTS

The Inner Experience
Evaluating Humanist Theories

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The Inner Experience: Three Approaches[p.64]


INTRODUCTION

See how these three approaches to humanism explore the notion that we have the power to choose our our destinies, regardless of our parents, our past experiences, or our present circumstances.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

..Historical Overview

• A 60's movement that rejected the pessimistic emphasis of psychoanalysis (instincts, unconscious motivation, conflict and hostility) as well as the fragmented approach of behaviorism.

• Represented a "Third Force" focusing on real problems and searching for a fuller picture of human potential

..Abraham Maslow (Striving for self-actualization)

• Personality development is a progression toward the state of self-actualization.
  
  
  • (The state of self-actualization is not the same as the state of California!)
    
    
  • Striving for a life that is meaningful, challenging and productive.
    
    
• Emphasis on positive aspects of human nature:
  • joy
  • laughter
  • love happiness
  • peak experiences -A rare moment of rapture cause by:
    • achievement of excellence.
    • drive toward higher values.
      
      
• Studies "healthy" individuals rather than patients to understand personality.

..Carl Rogers (The fully functional person)

• Tried to understand the "fully functional person" who:
  • Experiences congruence.

  • Harmony between their self-image and their true feelings, perceptions and wishes.

  • Trusting, warm, and open to experience.

• Unconditional Positive Regard
  
  
  • Important element in developing a fully functional person
    
    
  • Love and support for who we are without conditions.
    
    
• Conditional Regard
  
  
  • "I'll love you if you behave well and I won't love you if you behave badly."
    
    
  • Lead to suppression or denial of personality that are unacceptable to those they love.
    
    
  • Suppression leads to
    • Low self-regard.
    • Defensiveness
    • Unhappiness
    • Scores high on "neuroticism".

..Rollo May (Existential search for meaning in life)

• Emphasized the difficult aspects of the human condition.
  
  
• Adds existentialism to American psychology.
  • Free will.
  • Freedom of choice.
    
    
• Responsibility of freedom can create anxiety and despair, escape from freedom into narrow certainties, and blame others for misfortunes.

GLOSSARY

		humanistic psychology
		unconditional positive regard

LINKS About Humanistic Psychology

• weblink: The founding of Humanistic Psychology.
• weblink: What is Humanism?
• weblink: Association for Humanistic Psychology .

Evaluating Humanistic Theories [p.66]

INTRODUCTION

Some of the same criticisms as for psychodynamic theories.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

..Criticisms

• Closer to a philosophy than a science.

• Many assumptions are simply untestable, e.g. what is the operational definition of "self-actualization"? ( rewind to discussion of "operational definition" in Chapter 1)

..Contributions

• Humanistic psychology added a balance to the study of personality.
  
  
• Encouraged investigations of previously ignored facets of personality.

Next Topic - Taking Psychology With You..................................Chapter Contents