Humanistic Theory of Self

1. Basis of theory = Power to decide our own actions All want to fulfil our potential Shouldn’t focus on the past Humanistic Theory of Self Unconditional Positive Regard!! Rogers said this develops as we get older. It’s how we view ourselves Self concept - Ideal self - The person an individual would like to be Self esteem - This is how much you value yourself and is influenced by the gap between the self concept and the ideal self and also…. Rogers said that to become our ideal selves we had to go through a process called… Self actualisation Maslow came up with a hierarchy of needs that we need to go through to self actualise.

2. Limitations of the Humanistic Theory • Can’t measure self actualisation OBJECTIVELY. Difficult to study yourself therefore difficult to study self actualisation ! • Not a very scientific theory – can’t observe the ideas, says people are unique and have free will and so can’t predict them. Science predicts things and this doesn’t! • Ignores genetic evidence – some scientists think that upto 60% of your personality is controlled by genes.

3. Trait Theory Personality is controlled by your genes. • Eysenck said… Also, its controlled by the reticular activating system in the brain Emotionally stable Our personalities are made up of different TRAITS….. Introvesrion Extroversion Neurotisism Anxious moody Out going confident Shy, withdrawn caring These traits are…. permenant and consistent

4. Van Houtte & Jarvis (1995) Aim: Do pet owning adolescents have higher self esteem? Procedure: • 130 8 – 13 year olds • IV - Pet owners & non pet owners but matched on 3 aspects: • marital status, socio economic status, number of siblings • DV – autonomy (4 point scale), self concept (5 point), • self esteem (4 point), attachment to pet (7 point) Results: Pet owners had higher self esteem, higher autonomy and 11 year olds had better self concept. Pets give us unconditional positive regard so people that own them have Them have high self esteem Conclusion