...Running head: BIOLOGICAL AND HUMANISTIC THEORIES Biological and Humanistic Theories Victor Bell University Of Phoenix Psychology of Personality Psy 250 Byron Pettit, M.A. Due July 29, 2009 Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Understanding the wide range and the development of personalities within our culture has been an ongoing challenge for hundreds of years. Within this document we will consider why people have completely different personalities even in the case of identical twins. Although Freud’s believed that people were basically born with their personality intact, many different theories have developed over the years in direct contrast to Freud’s. I will also consider the impact of genetics, environment and the role they play in reference to the biological aspect of personality development. Two of the more popular personality theories today are Biological and Humanistic; I will analyze and compare both theories to demonstrate an understanding of the differences and similarities between them. The Biological factor determines our physical make-up the color of our eyes, hair how tall we will grow as adults, and our overall body type. Base on society standards our appearance will affect the way we are viewed and treated by others from childhood into adulthood. The preferential treatment that one may receive due to their physical appearance will create a superior level of confidence and self-worth that in most cases will continue throughout...
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...Parrott, L., III. (2003). Counseling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole. All electronic materials are available on the student website. |Week One: Overview of Models and Theories of Helping | |Existential and Humanistic Theories and Approaches to Change | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives |Identify the components of a model or theory of helping. | | | | |Examine the history of models and theories of helping. | | | | |Examine major existential and humanistic theories. | | | | |Identify existential and humanistic approaches, skills, and techniques for use by human | | | | |services workers. | | | |Readings |Read Ch. 5, 6...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories PSY/405 Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories A personality is similar to a fingerprint, it is distinctive. The Humanistic and existential theories of personality illustrate self-actualization, motivation, existentialism and person-centered theory. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explicate the humanistic theory of motivation. Man achieves a situation in life established as self-actualization; nevertheless, the principle to achieving self-actualization a high level need, commence with fulfilling lower -level needs. Even though lower-level needs contributed to importance with satisfying higher level needs and completely self-actualization, passing over other lower-level needs do happen. Carl Roger’s Client-centered theory as well humanistic has a formative tendency. Roger’s deemed every substance either organic or inorganic developed from uncomplicated forms to further complicated forms (Feist & Feist, 2009). The self and self-actualization is motivated by motivations, satisfying individual needs and recognizing oneself was significant from Roger’s viewpoint. Regrettably, hindrance to psychological health much like disorganization incongruence and defensiveness may happen. Roger’s Client-centered theory illustrates a model of individuality and the different factors which involve persons’ development. Additionally May has employed Existential psychology, summarizing...
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...Analyze how humanistic theory affects individual personalities. Maslow felt if you reached this level of self-actualization, you have reached the highest of all levels of human psychological development. You had developed a strong sense of self with the ability to have control of your feelings, the internal self (self-esteem) even when others around you reject or put you down, and in extreme cases even turn their backs on you. You are independent of others to satisfy your feeling of love or self-esteem they are independent or separate, becoming independent from a lower level where they first originated. Rogers stated: “Not everyone becomes a psychologically healthy person. Rather, most people experience conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization” (Feist, Feist & Roberts, 2013 p.302). The basic theory is based on self-reliance, people are capable of doing what is needed to motivate and accomplish their own personal goals from within themselves, where no outside motivation is needed. Based on freedom and being responsible, you have the freedom to choose your actions, as long as you also claim responsibility for those same actions. (Being accountable for own actions) By opening this new door in psychology, it has allowed researchers to examine the questions we ask ourselves, such as: Who am I? Is life worth living? Does it have a meaning? What is my purpose here? We are responsible for who we are and who we have become, not our parents or guardians...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Name PSY/405 Date Teacher University Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories In a perfect world, there would only be one, if not two different types of personality theories that psychologists would have to choose from in order to diagnose and treat their patients with, but variety, as they say, is the spice of life. In addition to that of psychodynamic personality theories, another set of equally important, and perhaps more interesting are that of humanistic and existential theories, made popular by psychologists Carl Rodger and Abraham Maslow. Humanistic and Existential Analysis Individual Personalities Humanistic and Existential theories focus on the different aspects of an individual in his or her journey toward self-actualization. Abraham Maslow’s holistic-dynamic (humanistic) approach focuses on the needs of an individual and how the fulfillment of those needs help or hinder one journey. Although the needs are intrinsic to humans, the progress to the next step is contingent upon the fulfillment, or satisfaction of the prior need (Feist, & Feist, 2009). Carl Rogers’s client-centered theory also includes needs but goes farther to explain the significance of self-awareness in reaching self-actualization. Maslow’s and Rogers encompassing approach toward understanding human motivation included the evaluation of one’s physical, mental, and social conditions as well as the positive aspect of an individual‘s...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Both Humanistic and Existential personality theories provide an understanding of human existence, personality and responsibilities. We will describe in the following paragraphs each, their strengths and limitations, their definitions, and their major contributors. Theories Regarding psychology, the humanists believe one of the most important things to study are humans. Humanistic theories were formed as a rebuttal to psychoanalysis. Humanists believe that we have free will and can decide what we want to do and that we are always striving for excellence and to be the best that we can be. Humanistic and existential theories primarily focus on the dynamics of one’s discovery and journey of self-actualization. Two major contributors were Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, who both believed and took an approach to understanding the evaluation of one’s physical, mental and social condition and positive aspect of one’s personality. (Feist, Feist & Roberts, 2013) In fact, Rogers based his personality theory on the ideas of humanism and called it the person-centered theory. Feist, Feist, and Roberts state that “Rogers postulated two assumptions, one being the formative tendency and the other the actualizing tendency” (p.313). The need to satisfy our hunger, accept one’s self and to express deep emotions are examples of the single motive of actualization which involves the whole person. (2013) The self-concept is one’s view of self...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Many theorists have dedicated their lives trying to figure out how the personality of a person is shaped. While the theories presented have brought up interesting and valid points on what causes personality, there are others that have taken a different approach to its study. There is the Humanistic-Dynamic theory by Abraham Maslow, the Person-Centered theory by Carl Rogers, and the Existential Psychology made popular by Rollo May. Analyze how humanistic theories affect individual personalities Maslow created a step by step process that he believed each individual must go through in order to get to the top. The five step hierarchy of needs begins with physiological needs, moves on to safety, then to love and belongingness, esteem, and concludes with self-actualization. Maslow believed that the needs lower in the staircase have prepotency, meaning that they “must be satisfied or mostly satisfied before higher level needs become activated” (Feist & Feist, 2009, ch.10). In other words, people need their basic needs, such as eating and drinking, met before they will even care about their safety and security. Once a person who is hungry has the opportunity to eat, for instance, even if is not to the point of getting full, it will still satisfy that need and enable him or her to move on to the next step. Rogers did not concern himself too much with why people have the personalities they do, but instead he worried about what he...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Tiffany Chapman, Alesha Forsythe, Hector Perez, and Lisa Rivas Psy 405/ Theories of Personality Joycelynn Flowers-Ashton July 28, 2014 Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories The Humanistic theory of personality explains that people are basically good natured ("Cliff Notes", 2013). Humanistic also believe that everyone has the ability to achieve their full potential within themselves. The theory explains that with the help of a humanistic therapist any individual can reach their full potential. However, humanistics believe that individuals cannot reach full potential unless all of their needs are met. Abraham Maslow explained in the Hierarchy of needs that an individual’s needs must be met in a specific order before the individual can reach full potential or self-actualization ("Cliff Notes", 2013). Full potential is not reached until the individual has fulfilled physical needs such as hunger, safety, belonging, and self-esteem. Individuals that do not have the ability to fulfill the hierarchy of needs often display personality that is unhealthy or dysfunctional. Individuals that did not experience unconditional love and acceptance during childhood often have difficultly establishing healthy relationships. The humanistic theory explains that in order for individuals to overcome the lack of love and acceptance those individuals must experience a relationship...
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...ANALYZING HUMANISTIC THEORIES KELLY KOVACS WALDEN UNIVERSITY Introduction Many individuals would agree that the theory behind our personalities mainly derive from biological factors. However, there are certain theorists that disagree with this, and view human instinct is the main contribution to the way we develop within society. Is there really any truth to this theory or is it just based off of an individual’s perception? There are several unanswered questions surrounding these analogies but they all have one thing in common, human development. Every theory ever documented has in some way implied that we evolve from childhood into adulthood, by conquering different milestones in life. Whether these steps involve sexual stages, conflicting situations or discovering self-worth, they all tie back to how our interactions or decisions allow us to move forward in life. Analyzing Humanistic Theories Some theorists believed that one does not develop their personality just through genetics in general, but also by discovering their true self through a series of emotional and physical accomplishments. These achievements were then grouped together to form what was referred to as our humanistic traits. There were two specific theorists, Rogers and Maslow, which during this time took their theories to a whole new level, thus combining both our psychological and physical needs with human instinct (Boeree, C. G., 2006). They disagreed with the theories of others such as Freud and...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories offered perspectives that have proved to be valuable to those researching and exploring how one’s personality develops and expands throughout life. Whenever giving praise or saying thanks can make a person believe he or she is wanted and know there is a reason to live. The humanistic theories focus on the individual and no one else. The humanistic theory is the psychological perception of good in every human. This theory follows steps for the individual to achieve self-actualization. For one to achieve this, he or she must fulfill his or her needs of the lower level. A strong believer of free will, the humanistic perspective has always argued that despite environmental and biological factors, people have the ability to act and change in ways that they themselves govern. Roger's also believed it was important for people to love themselves and accept themselves, because these were steps to solving problems. Existentialism is more of individual rather than social. They, Existentialist need to justify their existence. For them, they’re having their journey in life to know their purpose based on their own philosophy, according to EDU310 Foundations of Learning. A post second world war movement, mainly centered around artistic and creative intellectuals. A difficult concept to define if indeed concept is the correct term. Existentialism seems to come from the human nature and how individuals deal with there own existence...
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...University of Phoenix Material Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Worksheet Fill-in the Blank 1. Abraham Maslow proposed the _____Humanistic____________ theory of personality. 2. According to Maslow, self-fulfillment and realization of one’s full potential are examples of ______basic__________ needs. 3. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs proposes that ___lower basic needs_________ needs must be satisfied before ____higher growth________ needs will become motivators for behavior. 4. The belief that matter evolves from simpler to more complex forms is ______formative tendancy______________. 5. The __ideal self_________, according to Rogers, is one’s view of self as one wishes to be. 6. Carl Rogers believed that conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization are all considered _barriers to psychological health__________________________. 7. Rogers believed that __couselor congruence___, ___unconditional postitve reguard________, and empathetic listening____ are necessary elements of psychotherapy. 8. __Intentionality_____________ is the structure that gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future. 9. May proposed that ____existential freedon_____ is the freedom of action, whereas ___essentail freedom_____ is the freedom of being. 10. The basic concepts of existential theory are ______ and ___________________. Matching Match the following theoretical...
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...University of Phoenix Material Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Worksheet Fill-in the Blank 1. Abraham Maslow proposed the _ Humanistic_ theory of personality. 2. According to Maslow, self-fulfillment and realization of one’s full potential are examples of Self-Actualization____ needs. 3. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs proposes that __ physiological___needs must be satisfied before _ safety and security needs will become motivators for behavior. 4. The belief that matter evolves from simpler to more complex forms is ____________________. 5. The ___________, according to Rogers, is one’s view of self as one wishes to be. 6. Carl Rogers believed that conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization are all considered ___________________________. 7. Rogers believed that __________________________, _______________________, and _________________ are necessary elements of psychotherapy. 8. _______________ is the structure that gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future. 9. May proposed that ___________________ is the freedom of action, whereas __________________ is the freedom of being. 10. The basic concepts of existential theory are _______________ and ___________________. Matching Match the following theoretical components with their correct theorist or theorists. |Theoretical component ...
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...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Paper PSY 405 February 15, 2014 Instructor: University of Phoenix Humanistic and Existential Personality Theory Although philosophers and psychologists interpret existentialism in a variety of ways, some common elements are found among most existential thinkers. First, existence takes precedence over essence. Existence means to emerge or to become; essence implies a static immutable substance. Existence suggests process; essence refers to a product. Existence is associated with growth and change; essence signifies stagnation and finality. (Fiest, Feist & Roberts (2013) Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories offered perspectives that have proven to be valuable. Humanistic and Existential theories focus on the different aspects of an individual in their journey toward self-actualization. From Carl Rogers’s development of the actualizing tendency and the formative tendency to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, there is a diverse range of perspective. In this paper, we will analyze how humanistic and existential theories affect individual personalities and explain how these personality theories influence interpersonal relationships. Effect on Individual Personalities Our personalities consist of many complex characteristics and have been classified into a wide array of theories. One main concept of these theories is known as the Learning theory. Learning theory is defined as the process by which humans...
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...University of Phoenix Material Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Worksheet Fill-in the Blank 1. Abraham Maslow proposed the _____Humanistic____________ theory of personality. 2. According to Maslow, self-fulfillment and realization of one’s full potential are examples of ______basic__________ needs. 3. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs proposes that ___lower basic needs_________ needs must be satisfied before ____higher growth________ needs will become motivators for behavior. 4. The belief that matter evolves from simpler to more complex forms is ______formative tendancy______________. 5. The __ideal self_________, according to Rogers, is one’s view of self as one wishes to be. 6. Carl Rogers believed that conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization are all considered _barriers to psychological health__________________________. 7. Rogers believed that __couselor congruence___, ___unconditional postitve reguard________, and empathetic listening____ are necessary elements of psychotherapy. 8. __Intentionality_____________ is the structure that gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future. 9. May proposed that ____existential freedon_____ is the freedom of action, whereas ___essentail freedom_____ is the freedom of being. 10. The basic concepts of existential theory are ______ and ___________________. Matching Match the following theoretical...
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...Biological and Humanistic Theories PSY/250 April 29, 2010 James Fullilove Biological and Humanistic Theories Biological and humanistic are two theories that describe a person’s personality, or the way people respond in everyday life. This paper will inform the reader of a comparison and contrast between the two theories, how they correlate with people personalities throughout the world that exist, whether you have a extraversion or introversion personality. The biological approach can be defined as a personality trait acquired from a parent, or another family member that spends more time with someone than normal. As little children we tend to study our parents, watch their every movement, how they deal with certain situations of everyday life and their attitudes. If you were ever told that you act just like one of your parents, it might be true due to the fact that you followed them around as a child watching everything they did in everyday life. You have acquired some of their characteristics from what you have experienced as a child, the way you walk, talk, and present yourself. You can also acquire this from the environment that surrounds you, or what you see in everyday society. Hans Eysenck was a philosopher that traced an individual’s personality to his or her experiences by the biological makeup than by actions or mistakes made by a person parents. Eysenck believes that if a person observes another person doing the same thing on a daily basis...
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