Humanistic Personality Theory

People are a “genetic blueprint, to which substance is added as life progresses” ~Carl Rogers

Humanistic TheoryEmphasizes:

Positive motivation toward higher levels of functioning-given reasonable life conditions people will develop in desirable directionsPotential for growth and changeToday rather than the past

~There is more to human existence than dealing with hidden conflicts (Anti-Freud)

Carl RogersPersonality develops in service to positive goalsEveryone has innate capacities, capabilities, and potentials

*Goal of life: become the best version of whatever each of us is capable of

Rogers’ Ideas

Actualizing Tendency: biological push toward fulfillmentSelf-Actualizing Tendency: drive of humans to fulfill their self-concepts or images they have formed for themselves

Example: If you think you are intelligent you will strive to live up to that image

Let’s learn more…What makes a person “fully

functioning”?Fully functioning —an individual whose self-

concept closely resembles his or her inborn capacities or potentials.

Unconditional positive regard—full acceptance and love of another person regardless of that person’s behavior.

Conditional Positive Regard—acceptance and love that are extended only when a person behaves in certain ways and fulfills certain conditions.

What do you think?

What are some pros and cons to Humanistic Personality Theories? (difference between unconditional positive regard and conditional positive regard)

Abraham Maslow— Hierarchy of Needs