1. Humanistic Psychology & Achievement Motivation

2. I. Fundamental Concepts
A. Free Will: the belief that behavior is caused by a person’s
independent decisions (opposite to determinism).
B. Humanistic Psychology: operates under the assumption of
free will and deals with values, beliefs, and consciousness,
including spirituality and the guiding principles by which people
choose to live their lives.
C. Peak Experiences: those moments in a person’s life when
he or she feels truly fulfilled or content.

3. II. Founders of Humanistic Psychology: Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow
D. Motivation: an internal energetic condition that activates
goal-oriented behavior and gives it direction.
E. Perceived Responsibility
1) The Compensatory Responsibility Model: people are
not seen as responsible for their problems but they are
responsible for the solutions.
II. Founders of Humanistic Psychology:
Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow
A. Self-Actualization: to strive for and to achieve one’s fullest potential.

4. B. Unconditional Positive Regard: the acceptance of the
person as he or she is.
C. Conditional Positive Regard: the person is only held in
esteem when they fulfill certain requirements set for them
by another person or society.
D. Self-Concept (Real Self): an image of the person that one
really is.
E. Ideal Self: an image that represents the person one would
like to be.

5. F. Maslow’s Theory of a Hierarchy of Needs: once one’s needs are met at any given level of the hierarchy, one’s attention is drawn to the needs of the level above it.
Transcendence: to step beyond
Self-Actualization, to achieve
higher states of consciousness,
and a cosmic vision of
one’s part in the universe.
Self-Actualization:
to strive for and
to achieve one’s
fullest potential.
Aesthetic: creativity,
beauty, and a sense of order
Cognitive: thought stimulation
and to contemplate one’s existence
Esteem: to like oneself, to see
oneself as competent, and to be liked by others
Attachment: to belong,
to affiliate with others, love, and to be loved
Safety: protection from danger,
for security, comfort, and freedom from fear
Biological: basics such as hunger and thirst;
require satisfaction before other needs can begin operation

6. III. Offshoots of Humanistic Psychology: Positive Psychology
G. Father Figure: usually an older man, normally one with power, authority, or strength, with whom one can identify with on a deeply psychological level and who generates emotions generally felt towards one's father.
III. Offshoots of Humanistic Psychology:
Positive Psychology
A. Positive Psychology: the scientific study of features that
enrich life, such as hope, creativity, courage, spirituality and
responsibility.
B. Keys to Happiness and Personal Fulfillment
1) Intimacy
2) Personal Growth
3) Contribution to the Community

7. IV. Achievement Motivation
What’s motivating you to achieve?
1) Extrinsic Motivation: refers to things that are external to
oneself, such as money or rewards.
2) Intrinsic Motivation: refers to things that are internal,
such as pride of accomplishment.
Impact on Achievement at School, Work, or with
Creative/Leisure Activities

8. B. Success also depends on setting the right goals and
effective time management.
C. Regarding time management, sustained success is
usually the result of planning ahead and working on tasks
at a moderate and steady speed.