Humanist Psychology

A school of psychology that emphasizes personal growth and the achievement of maximum potential by each unique individual.

Stress our ability to create and live by personal standards and perceptions.

Based on belief that all humans strive for self-actualization.

Life is a conscious experience and we freely choose how we spend our lives.

Self-Actualization

Realization of our potential as unique human beings

To reach ones full potential Be true to oneself Everyone is unique and must follow

their own path to self-actualization Involves risk

Abraham Maslow

Based theory on healthy, creative, self-actualized people who fully utilized their talents and potential.– Self Actualization– Hierarchy of Needs

Traits of Self-Actualized Persons Perceive reality accurately Accept themselves, other people, and their

environments more readily than most people Accept themselves as they are More problem-centered than self-centered Base decisions on ethical principles Strong sense of humor Spontaneous Autonomous Appreciate the simple things Creative and Original

– (See chart 14.12 on page 393 for complete list of Characteristics of Self-Actualized People)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological– Hunger, Thirst, Warmth, Rest, Shelter

Physical Safety Love and Belongingness Self- Esteem Self-Actualization

Carl Rogers Primarily concerned with the path to self-

actualization or “full functioning”. Believed people suffer from a conflict

between what they value in themselves and what they believe other people value in them.– Self or Self-Concept– Congruence– Self-Esteem– Positive Regard– Conditions of Worth– Unconditional Positive Regard– Fully Functioning

Carl Rogers’ Self Theory

Believed people are to some degree the conscious architects of their own personality

People shape their personalities through free choice and action

Involves a persons sense of self

Self-Concept

A view of oneself as an individual. Recognizing one’s values and establishing a

sense of one’s relationships to other people. Self is the guiding principle behind personality

and behavior. Self is the center of each person’s

experiences Acquired over many years by observing how

other people react to you

Congruence

Key to happiness and healthy adjustment

Congruence is consistency between one’s self-concept and one’s experience.

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is the belief in oneself, or self-respect.– At first it reflects the esteem others have

for us– Parents help children develop self-esteem

by showing unconditional positive regard

Positive Regard

Viewing oneself in a positive light due to positive feedback received from interaction with others

Unconditional Positive Regard

Unconditional Positive Regard – is when one is accepted as they are, regardless of the temporary behavior or situation.

Conditional Positive Regard – is when one is accepted only when they behave in a desired manner.

Impact of Conditional Positive Regard

It is thought that CPR may lead children to think that they are only worthwhile only if they behave in certain ways.

That will lead them to be disappointed in themselves.

Humanist believe that we cannot fully live up to the wishes of others and also remain true to ourselves.

Children in some families learn it is bad to have their own ideas and will start to feel bad about themselves.

Conditions of Worth

The conditions a person must meet in order to regard himself or herself positively.– See yourself as good or worthy only if you

act in a certain way– Learn that you will only be loved if you

meet certain conditions.

“Fully Functioning”

An individual whose person and self coincide.

Being able to accept your person and become open to all your feelings, thoughts, and experiences

Person-Centered Therapy

The path to self-actualization requires getting in touch with our genuine feelings and acting on them.

True to Self

Evaluation

Stress Human Freedom Conscious Experience

Cannot be studied because CE is private and subjective

Doesn’t address the development of traits or personality types.

Describe behavior rather than explain it