Chapter 12

Humanistic Personality Theories

Introduction

Dominant ways of thinking in field of psychotherapy were Psychoanalysis (Freud, Jung, Adler) and Behaviorism (Skinner, Watson)

Humanistic approach began in opposition to these approaches Believed Psychoanalysis and Behaviorism

were too deterministic Believed humans had free will Believed if humans given right conditions,

they will develop to fullest potential

Introduction (cont’d)

Two main theoriesCarl Rogers and

Client-Centered TherapyAbraham Maslow and

Hierarchy of Needs

Carl Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy

Introduction Originally trained as psychoanalyst Research on what caused change/progress

in therapy Not necessarily techniques Certain conditions unconditional positive

regard, congruence, accurate empathic understanding (vicarious understanding of another’s emotional state)

Developed system of therapy with goal of client understanding self

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Basic assumptions People suffer from conflict btn what they

value in self and what they believe others value in them

Left to own devices, humans show positive characteristics and move toward becoming fully-functioning ind’s

People capable of change, given right conditions

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Starting point Actualizing tendency: built-in motivation

to develop our potentials to fullest extent More than just survival We have it in our nature to do best we can Incorporates needs and motivations from

other theorists

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Need for positive regard Significant idea Came from several experiences

Trained in seminary Research in what conditions facilitated change

in therapy Experience as psychotherapist

Believed we are all inter-dependent

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Need for positive regard (cont’d) Two types of regard:

Unconditional positive regard: unqualified acceptance of the worth of another person (despite behavior)

Conditional positive regard: qualified acceptance of worth of another—depends on behavior, contributions, etc. Conditions of worth: criteria ind must meet to

receive positive regard What have you done for me lately? Source of problems

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Self Similar to concepts of ego, but more Image of who we are Includes beliefs about self Congruence: fit btn who I am and who I

feel I should/could be How well does who I actually am match who I

would want to be? I am versus I should be Similar to Erikson’s notion of identity

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Self (cont’d) Problems occur when there is lack of

congruence Greater gap => more defensive, more limited Smaller gap => more balanced, more

comfortable Unconditional positive regard removes

barriers to development and allows ind to develop into fully-functioning ind How? Provides safe place to explore, grow, and

develop Not protecting self

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Problems Incongruity btn real self and ideal self =>

threatening When put in threatening situation,

experience anxiety Use defenses to deal with anxiety

Similar to Freud Types of defenses

Denial: block out threatening situation altogether

Perceptual distortion: reinterpret situation so that it appears less threatening

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Problems (cont’d) More defenses are used, greater gap

(incongruence) btn real self and ideal self This is more threatening which causes more

anxiety which leads to greater use of defenses, and so on.

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

“Fully-functioning person” When given unconditional positive regard,

need to limit or protect self decreases (don’t worry what others think). Able to be self and to develop potential

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Fully functioning person (cont’d) Characteristics of ffp

Open to experience: Opposite of defensiveness Accurate perception of one’s experiences Accepts reality including feelings

Existential living Living in present (here-and-now) To get in touch with reality, avoid overly focusing

on past and future Present is only reality we have

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

FFP (cont’d) Characteristics (cont’d)

Organismic trusting Ability to trust self and actualizing tendency Not simply do what feels good philosophy

Experiential freedom We feel free when we feel we have choices Freedom plus responsibility

Creativity Contribute to actualization of others Similar to Erikson’s concept of generativity and

Adler’s concept of social interest

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Therapy “Client-centered” => client has capacity to

figure out what is wrong and can find ways to change/improve

Non-directive therapist does not lead Supportive versus reconstructive If independence is goal, client will NOT

achieve it if they become dependent on therapist

Felt directive approach created dependence on therapist

Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (cont’d)

Therapy (cont’d) Reflective listening: mirroring client’s emotional

communication Communicate to client that therapist is listening,

understands (empathy), and cares Also lets client “hear” themselves—what client is

communicating Rogers’ ideas on characteristics of effective

therapist “necessary and sufficient” Congruent Genuine Empathic Respectful

New Theory—Abraham Maslow & Hierarchy of Needs

Introduction Attended University of Wisconsin

Worked with Harry Harlow (of monkey fame) Originally trained as Freudian analyst Witnessing birth of his child changed his

views Began to study characteristics of healthy

individuals

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Hierarchy of Needs Assumptions

We all strive to fulfill our needs Some needs take precedence over others We seek to fulfill more basic needs (e.g., for

survival) first before we focus on more complex needs

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Hierarchy of Needs – Intro info Move from “deficit needs” to “being

needs” Deficit needs => if you don’t have it,

you feel it. When you have it, feel nothing/satisfied

Being needs => once engaged, continue to be felt; want more

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Hierarchy of Needs (from bottom to top) Physiological Needs

Need for food, water, oxygen, etc. Need to sleep and other biological needs

Safety Needs Physical and emotional security Includes place to be safe—where I live Impact of economics—we focus on basic safety

issues

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Hierarchy of Needs (from bottom to top) Belonging Needs

Need to affiliate with others, to belong, to be accepted

Affection and relationships Esteem Needs

Lower esteem needs Need for respect of others, need for status, attention

Higher esteem needs self-respect, competence, mastery, achievement, etc.

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Hierarchy of Needs (from bottom to top) Self-actualization

Fulfillment of one’s potential Includes not only needs of self, but others

Characteristics Reality-centered Accepting of self and others Spontaneous Problem-centered (life’s difficulties as problems

demanding solutions, not personal) Autonomous Independent (versus conforming to others)

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Abraham Maslow and Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d)

Hierarchy of Needs (cont’d) Self-actualization (cont’d)

Peak experiences: Experience that takes you out of yourself Experience that connects you with life, nature, and

God Gives feeling of being part of infinite and eternal Glimmer of what it would be like to be to have

reached fullest potential Also called mystical experiences, transcendent

experiences Kairos