2: Theories of Humanistic and Personality Psychology
- Page ID
- 259262
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Describe and understand key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology.(APA Goal 1, outcome 1.1)
- Use basic psychological terminology, concepts, and theories in psychology to explain behavior and mental processes. (APA Goal 1, SLO 1.1b.).
- Be able to recognize major historical events, theoretical perspectives, and figures in psychology and their link to trends in contemporary research. (APA Goal 1, SLO 1.2c)
- Relate examples of how a researcher’s value system, sociocultural characteristics, and historical context influence the development of scientific inquiry on psychological questions. (APA Goal 2, SLO 2.5a)
- Describe the value and limitation of using theories to explain behavioral problems (APA Goal 2, SLO 2.1A).
In this module, we will briefly explore the many theories that have painted the portrait of humanistic psychology, as well as the theories of Sigmund Freud, whose personality theories have given us an alternative means by which we can understand how our past shapes who we are. Unlike Freud’s psychodynamic theory, humanism emphasizes the ideas that humans can exercise agency over their lives and that we all instinctively hunger to achieve our greatest potential—that we are not enslaved by deterministic forces. “We are the masters of our fate; we are the captains of our soul.” As you sift through the biographies of these humanistic pioneers, take note of how their stories paved the way for many of their theories; their own struggles became the fuel that ignited their intellectual curiosity. As you learn the myriad theories contributed by these pioneers, evaluate each theory’s relevance to your own life. Is your life fraught with Freudian defenses? Are you living a self-actualized life? Are you hidden behind the Jungian mask? Ponder the theories with intellectual curiosity and embrace the freedom bestowed upon you to explore the great minds that have gone before you.
Reading 1 : Abraham Maslow
“The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.”—Abraham Maslow
Key Concepts: Hierarchy of Needs, Self-Actualization, Peak Experiences, Physiological Needs, Safety Needs, Belongingness Needs & Love Needs, Esteem Needs, Deficiency Motivation and Growth Motivation
This article discusses the efforts by several psychologists to modernize Maslow’s cornerstone Hierarchy of Needs pyramid. Such an endeavor elicited much criticism. The rationale for the modifications rested on the argument that Maslow’s understanding of human nature was limited, due to the paucity of scientific evidence surrounding his theory. Many argued that the pyramid must conform to evolutionarily driven needs, which are subject to change. The collaborators on this project contended that we self-actualize, ultimately to find a mate. And we find a mate to procreate, thus parenting should replace self-actualization as the top spot on the pyramid.
Reading 2: Carl Rogers
“In my early professional years, I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship, which this person may use for his own personal growth?” -- Carl Rogers
Key Concepts: Biography of Rogers, nondirective client-centered therapy, subjective reality, self-concept, unconditional positive regard, Conditional positive regard, ideal self, real self, congruity, actualizing tendency, “The Good Life”
Reading 3: Eric Fromm
"Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.”—Eric Fromm
Key Concepts: Authoritarianism, Escape from Freedom, Destructiveness, Automaton Conformity, Symbiotic Families, Withdrawing Families, Social Unconscious, Relatedness, Creativity, receptive Orientation, Exploitative Orientation, Hoarding Orientation, Marketing Orientation, Productive Orientation
Reading 4: Rollo May
“Freedom is man's capacity to take a hand in his own development. It is our capacity to mold ourselves.”—Rollo May
May Quoting Kierkegaard: “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”
Key Concepts: Innocence, Rebellion, Ordinary, Creative, Anxiety,
Reading 5: Carl Jung
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”—Carl Jung
Key Concepts: archetypes, extraversion and introversion, shadow, collective unconscious, anima, animus, self, individuation, synchronicity, persona
Reading 6: Sigmund Freud
“Dreams are the royal road to the unconscious”—Sigmund Freud
Key Concepts: Unconscious mind, Id, Ego, Superego, Repression, Denial, Regression, Projection, Sublimation, Displacement, Psychosexual Stages of Development
Reflections:
1. Discuss whether you think these theorists developed their theories in an effort to better understand, and thus ameliorate the insidious angst of their own adjustment.
2. Do you find that any of the theories discussed in this module help you to better understand your past or a current situation in which you may be involved?
3. In one of his writings, May quoted Kierkegaard as saying, “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.” What is your interpretation of this quote? Does this apply to your life? What do you think that Freud would say about this quote?
4. What makes each set of ideas unique?