Humanistic Perspective and Personality

1. Humanistic Perspective and Personality

2. Humanistic approach • The humanistic approach states that the self is composed of concepts unique to ourselves. The self-concept includes three components: • Self worth (or self-esteem) – what we think about ourselves. Rogers believed feelings of self-worth developed in early childhood and were formed from the interaction of the child with the mother and father. • Self-image – How we see ourselves, which is important to good psychological health. Self-image includes the influence of our body image on inner personality. At a simple level, we might perceive ourselves as a good or bad person, beautiful or ugly. Self-image has an affect on how a person thinks feels and behaves in the world. • Ideal self – This is the person who we would like to be. It consists of our goals and ambitions in life, and is dynamic – i.e. forever changing. The ideal self in childhood is not the ideal self in our teens or late twenties etc.

3. Abraham MaslowHumanistic approach: basic needs to self-actualization

4. Personality and Maslow • Personality and Maslow • One of the most common models used in psychology, the Hierarchy of Needs was the result of Abraham Maslow’s research on the basic motivations of animals and humans. Maslow explained the human needs in a pyramid-like figure. At the bottom of the pyramid are the physiological needs (air, food, water, etc). Next to it are the safety and security needs (shelter, protection, etc). Love and belongingness needs come next (acceptance, affection, friendship, etc). The fourth portion includes the self-esteem needs (sense of mastery, power, appreciation, etc). And at the top is self actualization, or the tendency of being your finest. These five human needs are the ones that motivate us- to go from primitive needs to the higher needs.

6. Maslow • Just as what Rogers theorized, Maslow believed that our ultimate life goal is self-actualization. Some characteristics of a self-actualized person are: • Autonomous and independent • Have accurate perceptions of reality • Is able to accept himself, others and the society • Often feels as one with nature • Democratic and Appreciative • Because it is human nature to aim for these positive characteristics, we tend to

7. Carl Rogers • Humanistic approach: focuses on relationships.

8. Personality and Rogers • In his theory, Rogers stated that the organism has one basic goal: self-actualization. He expressed his extremely optimistic approach when he explained that all of us have the tendency to grow until we reach “actualization”. According to him, we exist because we need to gratify this need. • Rogers described a “fully functioning person” as someone who is actively taking steps to self-actualization. In relation to personality, this individual is open-minded and trusting to their own feelings and their environment. • Rogers’ theory emphasized that the chief indicator that we will reach self-actualization is our experiences during childhood. Every child needs to obtain unconditional love and acceptance from his significant others. However, today’s society dictates that a child will only be loved and taken good care of if he suits the expectancies of the significant others (e.g. quiet, well-mannered, obedient). Because of this, Rogers theorized that these external conditions give an increasing level of influence to the person’s behavior. When his behavior and actions are continually reinforced by such conditions, the individual develops the personality type that corresponds to the generality of his behavior.

9. Rogers • Self-actualization: all people have the ability to reach their full potential. • In order to do so, however, a positive environment is needed (genuineness, acceptance, and empathy).

10. Rogers’ environmental factors • Genuineness: people must be open and honest. • Acceptance: people value you for who you are—called positive regard. Unconditional positive regard is displayed in spite of any events. • Empathy: recognition of how others are feeling. These factors nurture growth.

11. Rogers’ personality ideas • Self-concept: human environment leads to your idea of who you are. This includes your morals, idea of self-worth, etc. It is positive or negative, depending on if you have met your “ideal self.” • Incongruence: gap between real self and ideal self. • Living a congruent life makes you a fully functioning person.

12. Fully-functioning person • Someone in touch with who they want to be. Called the “good life” by Rogers. • Openness to experience • Lack of defensiveness • The ability to interpret experiences accurately • A flexible self-concept and the ability to change through experience • The ability to trust one's experiences and form values based on those experiences • Unconditional self-regard • The tendency to be open to new experiences • Does not feel the need to distort or deny experiences • Open to feedback and willing to make realistic changes • Lives in harmony with other people

13. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! • http://www.amazon.com/Grinch-Stole-Christmas-Horton-Hears/dp/B001M6KTM0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387555861&sr=8-1&keywords=how+the+grinch+stole+christmas • Analyze the Grinch according to your perspective.

14. Groups • Discuss in groups for 10 minutes. Present findings to class and then discuss.