chapter 9: humanistic, existential, and positive aspects of personality this multimedia product and...

Chapter 9:

Humanistic, Existential, and Positive Aspects of Personality

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Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Existentialism

An area of philosophy concerned with the meaning of human existence

“Being-in-the-world”◦Must examine human beings in their

world◦The self cannot exist without the world

Phenomenological approach◦Subjective realities are important


Humanism

An area of philosophy that emphasizes the personal worth of the individual and the importance of human values

“The third force”◦Emphasizes the creative, spontaneous,

and active nature of human beings◦Third after psychoanalysis and

behaviorism


HumanismOur existence comes from our

relations with others

I-Thou dialogue—direct, mutual relationship

I-It monologue—utilitarian view of another


Humanism

The human potential movement

◦People are encouraged to realize their inner potentials

◦Uses group meetings, self-disclosure, and introspection


Erich FrommLove

◦Allows us to overcome our isolation but still maintain our individual integrity

◦Loving is an art◦Modern society encourages

existential alienation


Existential Alienation: 1950 - 2000

Divorce rate doubled

Out of wedlock birth rate up 7 times

Percent of population in prison up 5 times

Reported anxiety and depression up 5-10 times

Social Indicator Change from 1950 to 2000


Erich Fromm

Dialectical humanism

◦Reconciles the biological, driven side of human beings and the pressure of societal structure

◦Believes people can transcend these forces through free will


Carl RogersResponsibility

◦People have an inherent tendency toward growth and maturation

◦“Becoming one’s self”◦People must strive to take

responsibility for themselves


Carl Rogers

Rogerian psychotherapy derives from Rogers’ personality theory

For constructive personality change:◦Therapist is supportive and nondirective◦Therapist is client-oriented◦Therapist provides the client with

unconditional positive regard◦Therapist provides empathetic

understanding of client's internal frame of reference


Carl Rogers

Importance of “congruence” ◦For therapist (and client)◦Accurate self-perception◦Accurate communication


Anxiety and DreadRollo May

Anxiety is triggered by a threat to the core values of existence

We search for meaning in our lives when anxious


Anxiety and Dread

Victor Frankl◦Importance of personal choice◦Logotherapy

Emphasizes the importance of choosing to find meaning in life

Existential-humanistic approaches and support groups


Abraham Maslow

Hierarchy of Needs Only self-

actualization is at the “being-level” (B-motive). The other needs are “deficiency needs” (D-needs or D-motives)


Self-Actualization

The innate process by which a person tends to gain spiritually and realize his or her potential

Self-actualized people are spiritually fulfilled, comfortable with themselves, loving, ethical, creative, and productive


Self-Actualized Historical Figures (from Maslow)

Self-Actualized Person Self-Actualizing Accomplishment

Albert Einstein Applied his creative genius to rethink fundamental assumptions

Eleanor Roosevelt Concern for all of humankind and worked to improve human lives

Abraham Lincoln Fought for a moral idea of freedom, at a great personal cost

George Washington Carver

Great creativity and achievement, in the face of discrimination


Abraham Maslow

Peak experiences◦Powerful experiences in which

people seem to transcend the self, be at one with the world, and feel completely self-fulfilled

Common to people who are self-actualized


Measuring Self-Actualization

Maslow used interviews, observations, projective tests, biographical studies, etc.

Personal Orientation Inventory (POI)◦Self-report questionnaire◦Seems to capture some aspects of a

healthy personalityCopyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Happiness and Positive Psychology

Who is happy?◦Not a function of being in favorable

circumstances Subjective well-being (self evaluated)

◦Combination of characteristics: personal traits optimistic cognitions (i.e., believing

things usually work out for the best) internal psychological processes


Suggestions for Pursuing Happiness

1. Help others

2. Monitor one's wealth-seeking

3. Seek spiritual or awe-inspiring experiences in life

4. Keep lists or journals of your accomplishments


Suggestions for Pursuing Happiness

5. Avoid television

6. Set long-term goals and move on quickly after any short-term failures

7. Recognize that many people have tendencies to be relatively unhappy, due to a combination of biology, early experiences, thoughts and abilities, and current situations


Positive PsychologyExplores the positive forces of life

◦ Hope◦ Creativity◦ Wisdom◦ Spirituality

Application to mental health◦ Studies of wisdom, thriving, and

excellence in performance ◦ Escape focus on mental illness,

pathological behavior, failures of motivation and control


The American Paradox

Our society embodies progress on many different levels: technology, wealth, and freedom

Yet, we are not necessarily more happy; progress comes with a new set of problems often conceptualized as a moral decline

Possible solutions: altruism, fidelity, family, community, spirituality Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Timeline:Humanistic-Existential Approach

Developments in Humanistic-Existential Aspects

Societal and Scientific Context

Philosophers and theologians discuss the good and evil natures of individuals

Ancient times and Middle Ages

Humans are seen primarily in religious terms, as created by a divine presence

The individual is increasingly understood to have a unique nature, entitled to pursue happiness

1700s -1800s

Increasing emphasis on reason and rationality, philosophers search for the core of human nature





Radical alternative world-views discussed, in reaction against positivism and the dominance of empirical science

1920s-1940s

Experimental Psychology dominated by behaviorism, clinical psychology dominated by psychoanalysis; rise of fascism

Influence of Existentialism grows, as philosophers emphasize individual choice and responsibility

1940s-1950s

Intellectual reactions against fascism; world war followed by US dominance





Humanistic psychology flourishes as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow emphasize self-trust and self-actualization

1960s Clinical psychology becomes more science-based and experimental psychology considers clinical applications

Encounter groups, support groups, and other manifestations of the human potential movement emerge

1960s-1970s

New roles for women's rights and family structures; cultural revolutions





Studies of happiness, flow, and religiosity increase; Positive Psychology founded.

1990s-2000s

Concern with the dignity of the individual in an increasingly technological world; ethical considerations accompany medical breakthroughs


The Humanistic-Existential Approach

Analogy

◦Humans as free, sentient beings seeking spiritual fulfillment



Advantages◦Emphasizes courageous struggle for

self-fulfillment◦Appreciates the spiritual nature of a

person◦Based on healthy, well-adjusted

individuals◦Considers each individual’s

experience unique



Limits◦May avoid quantification and

scientific method◦Sometimes insufficiently concerned

with reason◦Theories are sometimes ambiguous

or inconsistent



View of free will

◦Free will is essential to being human



Common assessment techniques

◦Interview, self-exploration, art, literature, biographical analysis of creativity and special achievement, self-report tests, observation



Implications for therapy

◦Encourages self-knowledge through experiences (including spiritual experiences) appropriate to the individual.

◦Roger’s client-centered therapy offers a genuine, empathetic therapist who offers unconditional positive regard.


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