Personality Humanistic Theory By Mrs Andrews Evaluating Psychodynamic
Personality: Humanistic Theory By: Mrs. Andrews
Evaluating Psychodynamic l Freud a product of time & place? – Women/ status & power? l Freud: Inferred sexual abuse rather than actual abuse? l Based on retrospective studies
Humanistic Theory l We are positively motivated and progress towards higher levels of functioning l Stresses potential for growth and change Stresses present over the past l
Alfred Adler l Classified as a psychoanalyst but is the “father” of humanism
Abraham Maslow l Arranged human motives from primitive, to complex l Higher motives emerge only after more basic ones have been satisfied
Maslow’s Theory Highest motive
Carl Rogers l Everyone is born with innate capabilities or potentials- a genetic blueprint l Goal in life is to fulfill this genetic blueprint – to become the best of what we are capable of becoming l This push towards fulfillment is called actualization tendency
Rogers (continued) l But humans have self images or selfconcepts of themselves… l When our self concept is closely matched with our inborn capabilities, we are likely to become a fully functioning person
Rogers (continued) l People tend to become more fully functioning if they are brought up with unconditional positive regard- the experiences of being treated with warmth, respect, acceptance and love
Rogers (continued) l But parents and others adults offer children: conditional positive regard (I’ll love you if…) l Here, children change their self concept to include what you “ought” to be l When people lose sight of their inborn potential, they become constricted, rigid and defensive
Humanistic Theories and Jaylene l Humanistic psych. would focus on: – Jay’s discrepancy between her self concept and inborn capabilities – Unhappiness stems from her inability to be who she really is – Father is the source of positive regard
Criticisms of Humanistic Theory l Difficult to verify scientifically l Too optimistic? l Doesn’t account for narcissism, selfcenteredness l Too Western?
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