Humanism: Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers

Chapter 13

Abraham Maslow
Born in 1908 in Brooklyn, New York Mother had schizophrenia and was cruel to him Studied at University of Wisconsin, receiving his Ph.D. in 1934 Taught at Brooklyn College for 14 years; went to Brandeis University in 1951

Human Motivation: A Hierarchical Approach

Human beings are interested in growing rather than simply restoring balance or avoiding frustration Motivation refers to reducing tension by satisfying deficit states or lacks (D-needs) Metamotivation refers to growth tendencies (B-needs)

1. I do not feel ashamed of any of my emotions. 2. I feel I must do what others expect of me. 3. I believe that people are essentially good and can be trusted. 4. I feel free to be angry at those I love.

5. It is always necessary that others approve of what I do.

6. I dont accept my own weaknesses. 7. I can like people without having to approve of them. 8. I fear failure. 9. I avoid attempts to analyze and simplify complex domains.

10. It is better to be yourself than to be popular.

11. I have no mission in life to which I feel especially dedicated. 12. I can express my feelings even when they may result in undesirable consequences. 13. I do not feel responsible to help anybody. 14. I am bothered by fears of being inadequate. 15. I am loved because I give love.

The Study of Self-Actualized Persons

Self-actualized persons fulfill their own needs and do the best that they are capable of doing Studied friends and acquaintances, public figures living and dead, and selected college students to develop definition of optimal mental health Peak experience - an intensification of any experience to the degree that there is a loss or transcendence of the self

Characteristics of Self-Actualizers
Awareness Accurate perception of reality Appreciation without preconceptions Peak Experiences Clear ethical awareness (not necessarily conventional) Honesty Humour Kinship with Humanity accepting of all Deep interpersonal relations Freedom Need for Privacy Independent thinker (Resistance to conformity) Creativity, Spontaneity Trusting the Self

Thinking Critically
Whos among the self-actualized?
Not everyone agrees with Maslows choice of examples. Would you consider Gandhi, Mother Theresa, the Dali Lama, Nelson Mandela, Einstein, Christopher Reeves, or Oprah Winfrey self-actualized? Can you think of any modifications of Maslows criteria that would need to be made before his goal of self-actualization truly could be said to be a potential for everyone? Can you think of other individuals who you would consider self-actualized?

Transpersonal Psychology
Transpersonal Psychology Concerned with those states and processes in which people experience a deeper or wider sense of who they are and a sense of greater connectedness with others, nature, and a spiritual dimension Emphasizes human potential, seeking a balance of the whole person: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, social, and creative

Wrapping up Maslows Theory

Points away from pure science toward philosophy Believes science may not permit research into important human questions Should Psychologists Study Spirituality?

Carl Rogers
Born in 1902 in Oak Park, Illinois Completed psychology degree at Columbia University Teachers College Faced opposition to psychologists performing psychotherapy Worked to reconcile psychiatry and psychology as two professions with a common goal

Rogers Theory of Personality

Phenomenology = the study of human awareness and perceptions Each individual exists at the center of a phenomenal field (the total sum of experiences an organism has) We all strive to actualize Self-concept is a portion of phenomenal field that gradually become differentiated how we perceive ourselves

Congruence and Incongruence

Congruence exists when a persons symbolized experiences reflect actual experiences Incongruence exists when a persons symbolized experiences do not reflect all their actual experiences; there is denial or distortion

The Total Personality

Development of Personality
Need for positive regard by others Unconditional positive regard Conditional positive regard Positive self regard Positive development leads to a fully-functioning person

The Fully Functioning Person

Remind you of anything?

Psychotherapy
Person-centered therapy Formerly referred to as client-centered or nondirective-therapy Roger demanded empirical validation of psychotherapy Conditions for therapeutic change Necessary attitudes of therapist: empathy, acceptance, genuineness Responses to emotional communications Supportive versus reconstructive psychotherapy

Response to Emotional Communications

Thinking Critically
Friendlier Arguments: Using Reflection to Deal with Conflicts The next time you become deeply engrossed in a conversation or argument obey the following rule Each person is allowed to speak only after accurately reflecting the thoughts and feelings of the previous speaker to that persons satisfaction. WIN Situation

Assessment in Rogerss Theory

Open to empirical test of his theories Audio and videotaped therapeutic sessions Studied sessions themselves as well as performance on research instruments pre and post therapy Q-sort technique

Rogers Theory in Perspective

Careful to distinguish between philosophical assumptions and his scientific hypotheses Emphasis on subjectivity made scientific research difficult View of development and actualization of self may be highly culture-bound

Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology Seeks to study and understand the complex positive behavior of people in order to emphasize the systematic building and amplifying of human strengths and virtues Research topics include Positive experience Positive personality Positive social context

Classification of Strengths and Virtues

Wisdom Courage Kindness and Generosity Justice Self-Control
Modesty

Gratitude Optimism Resilience Humour