the humanistic approach to personality lec notes

8/9/2019 The Humanistic Approach to Personality Lec Notes

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The humanistic approach

to personality


2/20

Humanistic

psychology

A strong reaction to both behaviorism

andpsychodynamics

We make conscious decisions aboutthe direction of our lives

We look forward, not controlled by a

pasthistory of

reinforcement/punishment or

repressed trauma


3/20


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Abraham Maslow

Initially sold on behaviorism

Questioned when he read Freud

Everything changed after the birth of hisfirst child, he looked beyond both

Decided that we spend too much time on

the mentally illto understand mentalhealth

Focus on the strong. Want to run fast?

Dont study cripples.


5/20

MoreMaslow

Devised a holistic theory - look at people

as whole, functioning organisms

Skinner deprived his rats & pigeons, then

made inferences from their behavior to

humans

What if we had everything we needed ?

A truly human motivation would emerge, aprogression towards fulfillment.


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The hierarchy

An organization from the most

necessary needs to those we turn to

when the others are satisfied

Appealing

Widely applied

But little evidenceSome ignore levels


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The self-actualized

Initially, based upon two of his

favorite instructors

Achieve qualities that must bedeveloped

A path more than a goal

What a man can do, he must

do.


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What it takes

To perceive reality accurately

To be independent & creative

To solve problems

To accept yourself

To have a sense of hu

mor

To enjoy life


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who qualifies?

Eleanor Roosevelt

Gandhi

JeffersonLincoln

So few, changed from a destination toa path.


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How would you

know?

Peak experiences moments when

you feel truly fulfilled, content and at

peace

Your powers and abilities come

together in an intensely enjoyable

way

Flow experiences


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Carl Rogers 1902-1987

Conservative background

Postconventional experiences at

MadisonA career blessed with success

Continuous work as a therapist

15 to 20 hrs/week for decades


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A new type of

therapy

Rogers enjoyed consistent success in

therapy

Needed a theory to explain thisPerson connected theory to see

everything from the patients

perspective

A common sense, easy to understand

approach to mental illness and the

therapist/patient relationship


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fundamentals

We are rational but we dont always

act that way

We are aware, we know what wewant

We have a self-conceptwhich filters

our perceptions

Everything is fine if ourself-concept

lines up with reality

If not, trouble


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The prize

We all have an actualizing tendency

We are engaged in a life-long struggleto reach our potential

The problem is defensiveness

The solution/goal is OpennesstoExperience, living life for the

moment, trusting our instinctsSound familiar? Remember the Big5?


15/20

Another view

Rev. John S. Dunne expert on

life paths

John Pauls designeeHow do you live your life?

Two options


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The search for

certainty

Do you live your life trying to confirmand establish to yourself and othersthat you are what you hold most

dear?The smartest? The hippest?

The sexiest? Someones significant

other?The best athlete?

The best at anything?


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The inevitable

frustration of

yearning for

certainty.

If your life is a never-ending battle to

live up to such a standard, dont

expect to ever be at peace.

Times, circumstances, and people

change.


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Instead

Look at your life as a Quest for

Discovery.

In the future, somewhere else, you might

not have the status or position you crave.

Dont despair. Be ready. Dont limit

yourself.

Be open to experience the unexpectedpossibilities this chaotic but wonderful

world offers you.


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Therapy essentials

A Rogerian therapist must:

1) Be genuine;

2) Exhibit unconditional positiveregardfor their patients dont judge;

3) Be sympathetic, empathetic and

understanding.Let them solve their own problems

Reflect the patients content and

feeling


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But .

Would this style of therapy work for

everyone?

Rogers dealt with a narrow range ofclients: young

attractive

verbal/intelligentsocial

All selfreferred.

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