4.5b: Humanistic Theories of Personality

Humanistic theorists: theories that view personality w/ a focus on the potential for healthy personal growth

• emphasize capacity for personal growth

• development of our potential

• FREEDOM to choose our own destiny

* Anxiety results from experiences that threaten a person’s self-concept

Important Terms to know in Humanistic Psychology

*Self-concept: all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves in answer to the question, "Who am I?”

• Positive: act and perceive the world positively

• Negative: we fall far short of our ideal self, we’re dissatisfied and unhappy

Life-Story approach: a perspective where individuals define their identities by constructing, internalizing, and evolving personal stories about their past, present, and anticipated future

Carl Rogers’ Self-Actualization Theory

Self-actualization: 1 of the ultimate physiological needs that arises after basic physical and psychological needs are met and self-esteem is achieved

• The motivation to fulfill one’s potential

Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR): a caring, accepting, nonjudgemental attitude, which Rogers believed would help clients develop self awareness/acceptance

Rogers’ Person-Centered Perspective:

Maslow’s Hiearchy of Needs

Hiearchy of Needs: levels of human needs, beginning at the base w/ physiological needs — often visualized as a pyramid

• needs nearer the base taking priority until they’re satisfied

*Self-transcendence: the striving for identity, meaning, and purpose beyond the self