1. 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.

2. 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

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

4. 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 on page 393 for complete list of Characteristics of Self-Actualized People)

5. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Physiological
Hunger, Thirst, Warmth, Rest, Shelter
Physical Safety
Love and Belongingness
Self- Esteem
Self-Actualization

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Congruence Key to happiness and healthy adjustment
Congruence is consistency between one’s self-concept and one’s experience.

10. 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

11. Positive Regard
Viewing oneself in a positive light due to positive feedback received from interaction with others

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. “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

16. Person-Centered Therapy
The path to self-actualization requires getting in touch with our genuine feelings and acting on them.
True to Self

17. 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