1. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
I CAN
Explain the general premise of humanism
Distinguish the major humanist theorists
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2. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
The Humanistic Theory
Personality is not driven by unconscious conflicts and defenses against anxiety…but by the need to adapt, learn, grow, and excel
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3. The Attribution Theory
The Attribution Theory is based on the reasons for our successes and failures.
Every attribution is categorized in terms of locus, stability, and controllability.
Locus refers to the location of the attribution: internal or external
Stability denotes whether or not the attribute will stay the same or change.
For example, ability is considered a fairly stable factor, whereas effort is readily increased and deemed unstable.
Controllability is the student's ability to affect the outcome by controlling the factors that caused it.
Uncontrollable attributions are not within the student's control, like feeling ill.
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4. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Humanistic Theories
Humanistic Theories include
Gordon Allport’s Trait Theory
Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizing Personality
Carl Roger’s Fully Functioning Person
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5. Gordon Allport He catalogued 18,000 human traits from dictionaries
Traits Stable personality characteristics that are presumed to exist within the individual and guide his or her thoughts and actions under various conditions
He catalogued 18,000 human traits from dictionaries
There are 3 Types of traits:
Central- Form the basis of personality: happy, sad. moody, angry, tense
Secondary- include preferences and attitudes
Cardinal- These traits dominate the personality to the point that people are famous for them: Mother Theresa, Scrooge
Most people never develop this type of trait

6. Abraham Maslow and the Healthy Personality
Self-Actualizing Personalities Healthy individuals who have met their basic needs and are free to be creative and fulfill their potentials
Possess no neurotic need for the approval of others
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7. Carl Rogers’s Fully Functioning Person
Roger’s Phenomenal Field
Our psychological reality, composed of one’s perceptions and feelings
Term for a healthy, self-actualizing individual…
…who has a positive self-concept that is harmonious with reality
We respond to this subjective (biased) perception not to the objective reality
That’s why a grade of a C will shock someone who always gets As but make someone who is failing happy…
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8. Unconditional Positive Regard
Love or caring without conditions attached
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9. Evaluating Humanistic Theories
Problems:
Fuzzy areas in the theories
They can’t be tested.. lack an empirical base… can’t be proven false
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10. Evaluating Humanistic Theories
Positive Psychology
Recent movement in psychology
Pursues essentially the same goals as humanists but are more concerned with scientific support of theories
It studies the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive
Positive psychologists seek to make normal life more fulfilling", not to cure mental illness
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11. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
CAN I?
Explain the general premise of humanism
Distinguish the major humanist theorists
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007