...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Group B Psychology 405 April 28, 2015 Professor Dennis Daugherty Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Existential and Humanistic Psychology emerged as many theorists found traditionally held beliefs about people and personality, such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis, to be limiting. Humanistic Psychology is based on the idea that people are always striving to be their best self, or to become their whole self (Ryback, 2011). Existential Psychology is based on the idea that people are moved into action by the search for meaning in life (Feist & Feist, 2009). Though the goals of the two disciplines differ, the method of achieving those aims are the same; people are responsible for their outcomes, and achieve their ultimate goals through free will and personal responsibility. How Humanistic and Existential Theories Affect Individual Personalities The foundation of Humanistic theory is rooted in the belief that individuals are innately good and all mental and social issues are a deviation of the innate goodness caused by society. Humanistic therapies treat individuals from a holistic perspective; particular attention is given to phenomenon such as free will and human potential. Humanistic theory developed as an alternative to psychoanalysis and behaviorism. Psychologists such as Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and others met to discuss developing an organization with a more humanist...
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...Humanistic Theories Debate Learning Team D Amy Halley Alexandra Jean-Mary Krystle Alvarado PSY 315 4/6/2015 Julie Ellett Humanistic Theories Debate In this debate, we focus on two different early humanistic theorists. In every good debate there are three stages, the introduction, the debate itself, and then the conclusion. We will start by introducing both theorists, and let them explain what they contributed. Introduction of 1st theorist: I am Abraham Maslow. I believe that I have contributed the most to modern psychology because of my theory of the hierarchy of needs. I created this contribution to be able to further explain our goals in life and what we work towards as we whole. The Hierarchy of Needs is used to show the different levels of the needs we require as humans. The lowest on the Hierarchy is the physiological needs, the basic needs for human survival. This includes the need for food, water, sleep, and oxygen. These are the barest and most basic of requirements for a human to sustain life. Next is the need to feel safe and secure. We search for safety through others, and push to find an environment that will protect us and keep us safe from all harm. Once we feel safe and secure in our surroundings, we seek out relationships based on love, acceptance and the need to feel like you belong. We are all equipped with the desire to feel loved, accepted and like we matter and make a difference. To feel like we are important to those around us. The...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Paper Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Paper Abraham Maslow introduced the holistic-dynamic theory, which suggests that a person’s actions are constantly being motivated directly by one need, or another (Feist, 2013). The holistic-dynamic theory also suggests that a person has the potential to grow towards what Maslow deemed self-actualization, or reaching full potential. In order to achieve this goal of self-actualization, you must first satisfy all of the other needs on a pyramid that Maslow created (Feist, 2013). The hierarchy of needs starts at the bottom with physiological needs, like hunger and sleep. In order for one to move to the next tier of the pyramid, they must obtain relative satisfaction in this level. If someone is constantly hungry, maybe because they are homeless, they will never move past the motivation for their next meal. The second tier is safety, third is love and belongingness, fourth is esteem, and the final tier is self-actualization (Feist, 2013). In the case of personality development, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs gives each individual something to strive towards. In the end, the goal is to be self-actualized; the best person you can possibly be. The hierarchy affects interpersonal relationships, as well, in that each level deals with how you deal with another person, or community. To achieve safety, you must be in a place you feel safe, with people that you are safe around...
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...Running head: BIOLOGICAL AND HUMANISTIC THEORIES Biological and Humanistic Theories Victor Bell University Of Phoenix Psychology of Personality Psy 250 Byron Pettit, M.A. Due July 29, 2009 Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Understanding the wide range and the development of personalities within our culture has been an ongoing challenge for hundreds of years. Within this document we will consider why people have completely different personalities even in the case of identical twins. Although Freud’s believed that people were basically born with their personality intact, many different theories have developed over the years in direct contrast to Freud’s. I will also consider the impact of genetics, environment and the role they play in reference to the biological aspect of personality development. Two of the more popular personality theories today are Biological and Humanistic; I will analyze and compare both theories to demonstrate an understanding of the differences and similarities between them. The Biological factor determines our physical make-up the color of our eyes, hair how tall we will grow as adults, and our overall body type. Base on society standards our appearance will affect the way we are viewed and treated by others from childhood into adulthood. The preferential treatment that one may receive due to their physical appearance will create a superior level of confidence and self-worth that in most cases will continue throughout...
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...In a person’s family relatives may say a person has his or her mother’s eye’s and has their father’s nose, or say that a person acts like his or her mother or father. Some say these factors can pass through a person’s genes and other’s say that some actions are human nature. In this paper Delores will discuss the biological and humanistic approaches to personality. She will also discuss how growth needs influence personality formation, describe biological factors that influence the formation of personality, examine the relationship of biological factors to Maslow’s theory of personality, and explain the basic aspects of the humanistic theory, which are incompatible with biological explanations of personality. Biology revealed many aspects of how the human body works and what it needs to stay healthy. “In 1953 James D. Watson and Francis Crick discovered that DNA was structured as a double helix (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). This discovery was a huge accomplishment in the study of human biology. Charles Darwin took human biology a step further. Darwin used the fact that not one human being is the same to support his evolutionary personality theory. Darwin believes that humans are “people evolved directly from more primitive species (Friedman & Schustack, 2009).” For example, Brian G. Richmond and David S. Strait wrote an article called “Evidence that humans evolved from a knuckle-walking ancestor (Brian G Richmond and David S Strait 2000).” This article explains that evidence...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories PSY/405 Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories A personality is similar to a fingerprint, it is distinctive. The Humanistic and existential theories of personality illustrate self-actualization, motivation, existentialism and person-centered theory. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explicate the humanistic theory of motivation. Man achieves a situation in life established as self-actualization; nevertheless, the principle to achieving self-actualization a high level need, commence with fulfilling lower -level needs. Even though lower-level needs contributed to importance with satisfying higher level needs and completely self-actualization, passing over other lower-level needs do happen. Carl Roger’s Client-centered theory as well humanistic has a formative tendency. Roger’s deemed every substance either organic or inorganic developed from uncomplicated forms to further complicated forms (Feist & Feist, 2009). The self and self-actualization is motivated by motivations, satisfying individual needs and recognizing oneself was significant from Roger’s viewpoint. Regrettably, hindrance to psychological health much like disorganization incongruence and defensiveness may happen. Roger’s Client-centered theory illustrates a model of individuality and the different factors which involve persons’ development. Additionally May has employed Existential psychology, summarizing...
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...Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Erin F Watts PSY/250 September 21, 2012 Juliann Hector Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality When a person looks at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, one can see the basic map of the way people seek things out. Every aspect of a person’s identity is shaped with the help of basic human instincts and the needs that they seek to fulfill. Though it is critical to take this list of basic necessities into account when considering an individual’s personality, it is important not to overlook the affect that tendencies and biological factors play in designing one’s thoughts and reactions. When a child is first born, its thoughts are primarily focused on satiating their own hunger for food, comfort, and safety. Quick to learn, and a little selfish, a baby will catch on to certain truths. When it cries it will receive attention and food, meeting the first tier in the hierarchy of needs. In this level, Maslow explains that the first things a person seeks are the physiological kind. These are things like food, water, and sleep. Though there are certain factors that also play into this, this need will help determine how fussy one may turn out. If the baby gurgles or coos a certain way it garners more attention from its guardian, things like this help shape a person. The next urge humans seek to have met is safety. Everyone learns to do things a certain way to make sure they have nurturing and protective environment. If a...
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...Counseling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole. All electronic materials are available on the student website. |Week One: Overview of Models and Theories of Helping | |Existential and Humanistic Theories and Approaches to Change | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives |Identify the components of a model or theory of helping. | | | | |Examine the history of models and theories of helping. | | | | |Examine major existential and humanistic theories. | | | | |Identify existential and humanistic approaches, skills, and techniques for use by human | | | | |services workers. | | | |Readings |Read Ch. 5, 6, 8, & 9 of Counseling and Psychotherapy...
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...Biological & Humanistic Approaches to Personality By enwbe1982 | November 2010 Zoom In Zoom Out Page 1 of 4 Biological & Humanistic Approaches to Personality Biological & Humanistic Approaches to Personality When breaking down the differences with how Abraham Maslow used personality and development that consisted of theories based solely on the personality part of human needs. His hierarchy of needs pyramid shows the influences of human needs to the formation of unique individual personality. There are factors of biological needs that influence the formation of the way the personality has an impact role, which shapes relationships by reviewing Maslow’s personality theory. By reviewing the relationships you will be able to see focused similarities and it’s upcoming. Analyzing the aspects that are essential to the theory of humanistic approach with the personality of explanations will enlighten you to the differential views of each individual theory of personality. Describing Humanistic Needs Abraham Maslow shows us how he sees the makeup of individual personality. Each need and stage is based on priority. Maslow's theory shows us the influences of the human needs to personality. Physiological needs; health, food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep, and sex. Coping information is needed to meet these needs. Safety and security, helping information, need to feel safe from physical danger. The ability to have a sense of security, knowing what to expect, is a good example...
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...Humanistic/Existential perspective of personality Christine Bernardo Psych 405 December 3, 2012 Thom Mote Humanistic/Existential perspective of personality I would like to summarize the strengths of both the humanistic and existential perspectives of personality. This will focus on strengths and examples of personalities using these theories. Both of these perspectives are part of a progressive and positive attempt to resolve upset and inhibiting behaviors to uncover the better person hiding within. To analyze the strengths of any perspective you have to break down the theory into its strengths and weaknesses. Abraham Maslow has a humanistic theory that is based around self-actualization. This self – actualization is the main part of the theory that envelopes the lower level necessities such as love, safety, esteem and hunger (Feist & Feist, 2009). We need these to survive in a strong positive manner and also to reach the ultimate goal of self – actualization. Maslow felt that other theories did not adequately understand the humanity and psychological health of a person. Maslow has a hierarchy of needs that describes and defines the basic necessities that people need to be the best they can be. This hierarchy consists of five stages of needs, the first is physiological which is the most basic of human needs and consists of the air we breathe, the food we eat, water we drink and maintaining our bodies peak performance levels. The second step is safety, by safety...
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...Analyze how humanistic theory affects individual personalities. Maslow felt if you reached this level of self-actualization, you have reached the highest of all levels of human psychological development. You had developed a strong sense of self with the ability to have control of your feelings, the internal self (self-esteem) even when others around you reject or put you down, and in extreme cases even turn their backs on you. You are independent of others to satisfy your feeling of love or self-esteem they are independent or separate, becoming independent from a lower level where they first originated. Rogers stated: “Not everyone becomes a psychologically healthy person. Rather, most people experience conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization” (Feist, Feist & Roberts, 2013 p.302). The basic theory is based on self-reliance, people are capable of doing what is needed to motivate and accomplish their own personal goals from within themselves, where no outside motivation is needed. Based on freedom and being responsible, you have the freedom to choose your actions, as long as you also claim responsibility for those same actions. (Being accountable for own actions) By opening this new door in psychology, it has allowed researchers to examine the questions we ask ourselves, such as: Who am I? Is life worth living? Does it have a meaning? What is my purpose here? We are responsible for who we are and who we have become, not our parents or guardians...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Name PSY/405 Date Teacher University Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories In a perfect world, there would only be one, if not two different types of personality theories that psychologists would have to choose from in order to diagnose and treat their patients with, but variety, as they say, is the spice of life. In addition to that of psychodynamic personality theories, another set of equally important, and perhaps more interesting are that of humanistic and existential theories, made popular by psychologists Carl Rodger and Abraham Maslow. Humanistic and Existential Analysis Individual Personalities Humanistic and Existential theories focus on the different aspects of an individual in his or her journey toward self-actualization. Abraham Maslow’s holistic-dynamic (humanistic) approach focuses on the needs of an individual and how the fulfillment of those needs help or hinder one journey. Although the needs are intrinsic to humans, the progress to the next step is contingent upon the fulfillment, or satisfaction of the prior need (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Carl Rogers’s client-centered theory also includes needs but goes farther to explain the significance of self-awareness in reaching self-actualization. Maslow’s and Rogers encompassing approach toward understanding human motivation included the evaluation of one’s physical, mental, and social conditions as well as the positive aspect of an individual‘s...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Both Humanistic and Existential personality theories provide an understanding of human existence, personality and responsibilities. We will describe in the following paragraphs each, their strengths and limitations, their definitions, and their major contributors. Theories Regarding psychology, the humanists believe one of the most important things to study are humans. Humanistic theories were formed as a rebuttal to psychoanalysis. Humanists believe that we have free will and can decide what we want to do and that we are always striving for excellence and to be the best that we can be. Humanistic and existential theories primarily focus on the dynamics of one’s discovery and journey of self-actualization. Two major contributors were Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, who both believed and took an approach to understanding the evaluation of one’s physical, mental and social condition and positive aspect of one’s personality. (Feist, Feist & Roberts, 2013) In fact, Rogers based his personality theory on the ideas of humanism and called it the person-centered theory. Feist, Feist, and Roberts state that “Rogers postulated two assumptions, one being the formative tendency and the other the actualizing tendency” (p.313). The need to satisfy our hunger, accept one’s self and to express deep emotions are examples of the single motive of actualization which involves the whole person. (2013) The self-concept is one’s view of self...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Many theorists have dedicated their lives trying to figure out how the personality of a person is shaped. While the theories presented have brought up interesting and valid points on what causes personality, there are others that have taken a different approach to its study. There is the Humanistic-Dynamic theory by Abraham Maslow, the Person-Centered theory by Carl Rogers, and the Existential Psychology made popular by Rollo May. Analyze how humanistic theories affect individual personalities Maslow created a step by step process that he believed each individual must go through in order to get to the top. The five step hierarchy of needs begins with physiological needs, moves on to safety, then to love and belongingness, esteem, and concludes with self-actualization. Maslow believed that the needs lower in the staircase have prepotency, meaning that they “must be satisfied or mostly satisfied before higher level needs become activated” (Feist & Feist, 2009, ch.10). In other words, people need their basic needs, such as eating and drinking, met before they will even care about their safety and security. Once a person who is hungry has the opportunity to eat, for instance, even if is not to the point of getting full, it will still satisfy that need and enable him or her to move on to the next step. Rogers did not concern himself too much with why people have the personalities they do, but instead he worried about what he...
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...Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality PSY 250 Biological and humanistic styles are the two most commonly used to describe the approach towards personality. Referencing theories in the process of biological development, various processes have been used in an attempt to fill the gap that is between the genes of a person and the personality they will end up developing. Under this there is the anatomical approach that explains the functions and structures of the brain and biochemical that attributes all this to the neurotransmitters and hormones. Besides that, there is Abraham Maslow who has a different theory when it pertains to personality. According to this theory personality of a person will be developed due to the various experiences and realities that they encounter in life (Vigil, 2002). Maslow had a belief in the hierarchy of human needs. In order to the proper definition of the human needs an individual has to start in defining the needs by completing one group of needs before proceeding to the next group. Hence Maslow came up with a pyramid in which the needs were classified. At the lowest point of the scale were those needs that are basic and as they progress it gets more complicated to the most complex of needs at the top of the pyramid. At the bottom are the basic needs that include food, water, sleep and warmth. The next level is that where a person has to be given the provision of being safe and secure in the pyramid. The nest level of needs in...
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