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
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