1. The Humanistic Approach

2. Keeping the Person in Personality
Origins of humanistic approach are traced to desire to aid those in distress
“It is the meaning of the decision, which is essential to understanding the act” (Rogers, 1969)
Behavior is based on choices and the meaning we assign to choices
The meanings are created by the individual and not an outside viewer as Freud would believe

3. Birth of the Perspective
Originates in 1950’s
Blending of variety of theories including:
Existential
Phenomenological
Maslow-”Third Force”
Alternative to behaviorism and psychoanalysis
Dominant forces in Psychology at the time

4. Common Characteristics that make Humanistic Approach
Subjective experience of individual key to understanding their behavior
Phenomenological Approach
Past experience and current circumstances are not the only causes of behavior

5. Major Difference from Behaviorism and Psychoanalysis
Both of these perspectives share two details that are rejected by the Humanistic Approach
Determinism
Assumption all behavior has specific causes
Behaviorism- Environment (reinforcers)
Psychoanalysis- Unconscious innate drives
Individual is seen as being controlled by outside forces outside of their control
Lack of value for Subjective Experience
Psychologists have always traditionally been weary of subjective reports
Behaviorism- What people say or think is irrelevant to behavior only environment matters
Psychoanalysis-Behavior can not be explained because the causes are largely unconscious and any conscious understanding will be distorted by rationalization
Explanation of behavior ends up in the hands of the observer instead of the person behaving

6. Humanistic Answers to These Concepts
Determinism
Immediate situations and past experiences can influence behavior
Crucial element rests in individuals ability to respond based on subjective assessment of a situation (Can make choices=Free Will)
The way we think effects our behavior, independently of external factors
Value of Subjective Experience
Only individual can explain the meaning of a behavior
Subjective experience can be studied scientifically
All data being gathered by humans is subjective so there is not need for a third-party observer

7. How Can Subjectivity be Used in a Social Science?
Notion of Subjectivity establishes new criteria for scientific observation according to Rogers
Any observation agreed upon by two observers is valid despite each person operating under their own subjectivity
Called intersubjective verification
Basis for all human interaction including the scientific method

8. Meaning and its Importance in the Humanistic Perspective
Arises from concepts of choices and subjective look at behavior in approach
Meaning- the purpose or value that an individual attaches to their actions or experience
Traditionally Psychology has ignored the notion of meaning
Helps to keep ‘value-free’ environment of science
We have gotten to the point of acknowledging meaning post WWII, but many question whether Humanists have developed a framework for Understanding it.

9. Carl Rogers’ Theory
Built from his early experience and interest in counseling and treatment
Found that he was moving in a different direction than Psychoanalysis and Freudian Concepts in practice

10. Rogers and Self Theory
Based his practices on Self Theory as defined by G.H. Mead
Focus on self concept and subjective view of world
Develops Client-Centered Therapy
Person seeking treatment directs the process of therapy
Called a client rather than patient
Gets rid of notion of superior and inferior
While ideas develop in clinical context, his theory is intended as a general theory of behavior

11. Notions of the Organism and the Actualizing Tendency
Most fundamental aspect of human experience is the cycle of life
We have needs that arise from our biological being as organisms (food, water, shelter)
We also have a broader motive that directs our lives called the actualizing tendency
Reflects our desire to grow, develop, and enhance our capacities
Our connection to our actualizing tendency is our center for growth and creativity

12. The Phenomenal Field
Phenomenal Field- our unique perception of the world
Perceptions are based on our cognitive schema which allows us to see the world based on past experiences, needs, and expectations
The external world does not shape our lives, our perceptions of it actually guide our behavior
Often times people perceive external events differently which leads to conflict, or distort external events causing inappropriate behavior
It is important to note what someone perceives is their reality (This makes empathy key)

13. The Self A fluid entity, not stable as we often think
Rogers definition of self-”an organized consistent gestalt, constantly in the process of forming and reforming”
Much different than the permanent construct assigned by many other theorists
Reflects our view of who we are at any given moment
Past is not central to this notion as in Psychoanalysis
Past is only as important as we perceive it to be
The individual can change the perception of the self through conscious choice

14. The Ideal Self
Refers to the aspect of our phenomenal field that deals with who we would like to be.
Can be similar to actual self or quite different
Constantly fluid just like the present notion of self
We are in harmony when the ideal self matches the actual self
Congruence-self and ideal self all lined up
Incongruence-self and ideal self out of whack

15. Personality Development and Conditions for Growth
Incongruence based on unhealthy growth
Development based on kind of social interactions an individual has
Essentials to human growth are social contact and positive relationships
Called Positive Regard

16. Conditions of Worth
Conditions of worth our restrictions that we put on our self-expression to earn positive regard
Can be created by self or others
Lead to people being out of touch with their emotions because they have internalized conditions of worth into the ideal self

17. Introjection of Values
When we accept others values via conditions of worth into our ideal self
Basis for incongruence
Pleasing others become more important than satisfying our own actualizing tendency

18. Would-Should dilemma
Begins when we internalize the values of others as part of our internal self (They then become our own)
Sometimes we face conflicts between our needs expressed through the actualizing tendency and the demands of others expressed through the ideal self
Leads to statements such as “I would like to______, but I should________

19. Conditional and Unconditional Positive Regard
Unconditional Positive Regard- extended to us simply because we are a human being
Conditional Positive Regard- when regard is only given for meeting certain standards
Too often we make statements that demonstrate lack of regard for the person and not for their actions. (Important to take note of)
Too much conditional positive regard can lead to incongruence as well. ( I am only valued when I…….)

20. Congruence and Conditions for Growth
Incongruence occurs through life experience
Congruence can be maintained through three things:
Unconditional Positive Regard
Openness
Empathy

21. Unconditional Positive Regard
Requires that no external demands be put on the individual
A person is fundamentally trustworthy
Rogers felt everyone needed at least one person to provide this
Allows you to take chances with feeling and behavior and explore your sense of self

22. Openness A person freely expresses their self without playing a role
When we are open we free ourselves from social constraints and all parties gain
Teachers are not particularly good at this according to Rogers

23. Empathy The ability to fully understand another’s point of view
When we assess behavior as personality driven rather than attributing to situational factors we are guilty of fundamental attribution error

24. Blending the Three Together
We can only be real about ourselves
We do not know the reality of others
The best way to gain a clear reality for all is to be open about oneself and how what is going on is being perceived by you

25. Human Potential and the Fully Functioning Person
Personality development naturally moves towards healthy growth, only negative external factors lead to distortions in personality
Fully Functioning Person is the norm not the exception
Completed by achieving congruence
Brings all of the benefits we think of with healthy personality traits (Self-esteem, Self- confidence which trigger openness central to growth)

26. Aggression Is created by too much conditioned positive regard
Not a fundamental part of personality

27. Major Downfall Does not show Cross-Cultural Support
Collectivist cultures view the world very differently
Change conception of self based on situation
A potential wrench in the engine

28. Abraham Maslow

29. Maslow’s Background Born in New York
Studied at the University of Wisconsin under Harlow
Original focus on primate behavior
Focus shifted after WWII like all Humanists to social psychology and personality
Met many famous European Scholars (Adler, Horney, Fromm) while teaching in New York
Became Psych Chair of newly founded Brandeis in 1951
Chaired APA in

30. Maslow’s Theory
Internal force which directs human development towards its highest potential
Called Self Actualization-the full utilization of a person’s talents and capacities
The “Third Force” or the “Healthy Half”
Strives to understand and describe the limits of human potential
Felt psychology should be focused on the betterment of human life

31. Motivation Core of Theory is a description of basic human needs
Influence every aspect of our behavior
Reflects a psychodynamic influence on Maslow’s thinking
Unlike Freud and others Maslow felt there was a plethora of needs that could influence our behavior
Only the individual can determine what course of action will best fulfill their needs
Lottery Example

32. Hierarchy of Needs
A hierarchical structure of different types of needs
Most basic are those linked to survival
Physiological
Nothing else matters if we don’t have these
Next in line are safety needs
Both Physical and Psychological
If Safety needs met we focus on love and belongingness
Giving and receiving acceptance and affection
If these needs met we move to esteem needs
Sense of self-respect and being competent at what you do as well as receiving regard
Interesting that love comes before self-esteem

33. Hierarchy of Needs All of these needs contain Deficiency motives
We are driven to satisfy them because of the absence of underlying requirements
Similar to behaviorists and psychodynamic concepts who state all behavior fulfills a deficiency
Maslow rejected this notion believing there were metaneeds, which were based on a growth motive called self-actualization

34. Self Actualization Based on using capacities to the fullest
Expression of the potential for growth which is a part of all life
Can never be fully satisfied because it is not based on a deficiency
It is a process not a goal

35. Is the Hierarchy Rigid? No
Once people have moved on to a higher level of need they may become salient for it
Leads to them looking out for that need over all others
Most people will rarely if ever experience a strong need for self actualization
So hard to get through the other needs

36. Needs and Self-Development
Understanding Needs is an important part of self-development according to Maslow
Our perception of the world is based on our dominant need at that moment
Our frustrations are based on which needs are dominant
Aggression is a response to frustration
Should not occur in a healthy person living in a benign environment
Relationship between needs and environment essential to understanding behavior.
Only by identifying what needs are not being met can a person find a workable solution

37. Cultural-Conditioning
Can interfere with recognizing and satisfying needs
Western Society focus on Material Sources of satisfaction/leads to focus on base of pyramid of needs

38. Self Actualization and Peak Experiences
Self-Actualizaton
Reaching for the capacity of your ability
Can be a difficult journey
Maslow felt only 1% of world reached this state
Peak Experiences
Moments of deep intensity in which we feel ourselves most fully alive
Moments of insight into the potential of life
Plateau Experiences
Longer lasting form of heightened experience according to Maslow
Main characteristic is a change in perception of the world
“Live each day like its your last” You come to full understanding in this time

39. Maslow’s Concept of Healthy Growth
Based his description on 18 individuals, 9 historical and 9 contemporary
Self-Actualization is a process to which there is no end
Its about what you do not where you end up
15 characteristics which no human being could attain

40. Criticism of Maslow
Did he look for individuals who exhibited the traits he felt were important creating bias
Looking for a universal ideal while admitting variability exists among individuals
Ideas more influential for capacity to inspire rather than for empirical foundation

41. Extending the Humanistic Approach
Maslow and Rogers best known, but there are other theorists
Share assumptions
Behavior only understood through subjective experience
Choice over determinism

42. Existential Psychology
Roots in WWI
Philosophers “Does life have any obectively definable purpose or meaning?”
Work of Jean Paul Satre influences a number of psychologists
Life has no purpose, unless given to it by an individual through their actions
Individuals have ability to make choices, choices create meaning
Primary difference from humanism is based on emphasis existentialists place on meaning
Human capacity for awareness makes us capable of reflecting on own lives and world around us
Creates 2 realizations
Both we and those we love will inevitably die
Suffering is an unavoidable part of life
Conclusion (Essential Question for Existentialists): What then makes life worth living?
Goal: Come to terms with this in our own way. There is no universal answer, but we kid ourselves by pretending there is. (Finding Meaning leads to healthy development)

43. Frankl and Logotherapy
Followed similar path to Freud, but rejected his assumptions about behavior
Instead behavior based on desire to find the meaning of life
Framework comes from a book he published about experiences in concentration camp
Called LOGOTHERAPY
Assumptions:
Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself
The meaning of human experience can only be determined by the individual having the experience
There is only a specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment

44. Frankl and Logotherapy
The Search for Meaning leads to a certain degree of tension
Separates him from Rogers Self/Ideal Self Concept
Fits in with Maslow and Self Actualization, but Self Actualization is a side effect of seeking meaning to him
Meaning or its absence has a profound effect on a person’s life
Noogenic neuroses- conflicts within an individual based on existential frustrations
Can lead to pathology
Work with poor during economic downturn in 1930’s and belief regarding hand outs
Clinical study, but correlational in nature.
Life has meaning only in terms of how we relate to our surroundings
The more we lose our self in surroundings the more we actualize
Surroundings can also be the source of our problem
Cultural beliefs can negatively influence the search for meaning
Western Culture and Determinism
Human Values are completely subjective
Only individual can determine answers to questions surrounding responsibility
Leaves no fixed value system to defend

45. Frankl 3 ways meaning can be discovered in life
Achievement
Transcendent Experience
Attitude one takes to unavoidable suffering