The humanist perspective focuses on free will and individual responsibility for one's outcomes. It was created in the 1960s as a third force in psychology to replace psychoanalysis and behaviorism. Key figures included Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Rollo May. Maslow believed psychology ignored positive aspects like happiness. Rogers developed the idea of unconditional positive regard and congruence between one's inner feelings and outward presentation. He observed that conditional positive regard can lead people to suppress feelings and deny their true selves. May emphasized the unavoidable difficulties of human existence like loneliness and the search for meaning.

1. Humanist Perspective

2. Definition Psychologists who take a humanist approach to personality focus on our uniquely human capacity to determine our own actions and futures The belief that biology and parental influence are real factors, but ultimately we have the free will to go beyond these forces Each individual is responsible for his/her own outcome

3. History of Humanism Created in early 1960s Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May This was created to replace psychoanalysis and behaviorism with a third force in psychology They wanted to draw a fuller picture of human potential and personality

4. Abraham Maslow

5. Abraham Maslow Maslow believed psychology ignored many positive aspects in life such as joy, laughter, love, happiness and beauty He didn’t value the big five traits, but instead qualities of the self-actualized person Self actualization – striving for a life that is meaningful, challenging and satisfying

6. Self Actualization Maslow saw personality development as the slow progression toward self actualization He argued most psychologists had an imbalanced view of human nature -ie. Studying only emotional problem and negative traits like insecurity

7. The Hierarchy of Needs

8. Carl Rogers Rogers, like Freud, derived many of his ideas from observing his clients in therapy He was interested in not only why some people cannot function well but also on fully functioning individuals Fully functioning people experience congruence, which is harmony between what they project to others and their true feelings and wishes Fully functioning people are trusting, warm and open rather than defensive or intolerant

9. Rogers continued How do we become fully functioning individuals? Unconditional positive regard – love and support for the people we are without strings (conditions) attached Ex). Sarah kicks her brother over and over when she’s angry with him. She also throws out her dinner from the window because she hates peas  the parents can correct her behavior WITHOUT withdrawing love from the child The child can learn through this that the behavior is bad and needs to be changed, not that Sarah herself is an awful person Saying “violence is not allowed in this home” is very different to “Sarah, you are a horrible, stupid child”

10. Rogers observations Through his extensive experience giving therapy, he observed many children are raised with conditional positive regard – this is obviously not good (if you have been listening in class!) Ex). I will love you Sarah only if you behave well Adults often engage in this repeatedly too Those treated with conditional regard begin to suppress or deny feelings or actions that they believe are unacceptable to those they love

11. So what happens? Conditional love = changing what you really say you feel to someone  as a result you feel out of touch with your feelings ( incongruence ) and realize you’re not being true to your real self = low self regard, defensiveness, and unhappiness

12. Rollo May Also believed in free will But emphasized some of the unavoidable difficult and tragic aspects of human condition - Existentialism Ie). Loneliness, anxiety and alienation Also, the search for meaning of life, the need to confront death and living with the burden of responsibility for our actions

13. The consequences of Free Will Free will carries a price though, which is why so many people often try to escape their freedom and blame others for their misfortunes Our personalities reflect the way we cope with our struggles to find meaning in existence, to use our freedom wisely and to face suffering and death bravely May made the following humanist idea popular: We can choose to make the best of ourselves by drawing on inner resources such as love and courage but can never escape the harsh realities of life and loss