Theory Of Personality

Theory of Personality Paper

Humanistic psychology has led to the development of several different psychotherapies. All are based on the idea that people possess the resources for growth and healing and that the goal of therapy is to help remove the barriers that block this growth and achievement. Although, several theorists have contributed to Humanistic Psychology, one of the most renowned is, Abraham Maslow. Humanistic psychology is defined as:

"Explicitly concerned with the human dimension of psychology

and the human context for the development of psychological theory."

(wikipedia.com)

Abraham Maslow was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1908, and attended City College in New York for three semesters, where he studied law. Maslow moved from New York to Wisconsin where he then attended the University of Wisconsin. It was at Wisconsin, where he developed an interest in psychology. After receiving his PHD, in psychology, Maslow left Wisconsin in 1935 and headed back to New York to work with E.L. Thorndike at Columbia University. E.L. Thorndike was a noted psychology professor at Columbia University, and was at the forefront in the development of Behavioral Psychology. The work of E.L.Thorndike influenced Maslow's path of intrigue into the world of psychology. It was at this time that Abraham Maslow developed an interest in researching human sexuality.

Maslow became a faculty member at Brandeis University in 1951 and taught there until 1969, as well as a resident fellow of the Laughlin Institute in California.

Humanistic Psychology evolved as a reaction to determinism, i.e., the idea that human behavior is determined b forces not under the control of the person. As a result, it is sometimes referred to as the "third force." Third force psychology is another term for humanistic psychology, which was viewed by Maslow and others an alternative to psychoanalysis and behaviorism (Hergenhahn, Olson,). Important figures in behaviorism include John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. Behaviorism was considered deterministic because it is based on the premise that the environment determines people's behavior. Another form of humanistic psychology is the Fourth Force psychology, which is explained as the psychology that examines the human relationship to the cosmos or to something "bigger than we are" and the mystical, spiritual, or peak experiences that the realization of such a relationship produces. Theorists focused on the depth of the human psyche, which they stressed, must be combined with those of the conscious mind in order to produce a healthy human personality.

By the late 1950s, two meetings had been held in Detroit among psychologists that were interested in founding a professional organization dedicated to a more humanistic vision. This organization also hoped to create a complete description of what it is to be a human being. The group investigated the human aspects of experience, such as love, hope, and creativity. These psychologists, including Abraham Maslow and Clark Moustakas, believed that this was likely to become the main concerns of a new psychological movement, which would be known as the "third force." (www.wikipedia.com)

The importance of Abraham Maslow's, Hierarchy of Needs, is shown by its continued use as a means to understanding human behavior. Maslow's model has been used in studies from various fields. The theory is used by business, social sciences, and education; it is used for understanding what the driving forces are, or what is important to individuals.

Maslow depicted the model of his theory in the shape of a triangle or pyramid, and divided it into five levels. Maslow believed that unless basic needs are met, higher levels in the pyramid have no bearing. Survival is the most basic human element.

Abraham Maslow is considered a humanist, and his niche in the psychology environment is humanistic psychology. Maslow created a framework of needs that he called the "Hierarchy of Needs." This Hierarchy of Needs" theory states that some needs are more important than others are. The theory classifies these needs as:

1. The Physiological Needs

2. The Safety and Security Needs

3. The Love and Belonging Needs

4. The Esteem Needs

5. Self-Actualization

Maslow identified the basic needs, as deficit needs. The first is the physiological needs that are basic to sustaining life.

Next, Maslow addresses the need for safety and security. Once the life sustaining needs are met, we are then concerned with securing shelter and being protected. Our tendency to seek out the best schools, the better neighborhood, job security, and retirement plans, are among our needs at this level.

When physiological and safety needs are taken care of , the next level, the love and belonging needs, will need to be satisfied. This need addresses our need to physically and emotionally touched. It is in this stage where the desire to form friendships and get married begins to develop. The individual sense of social anxiety begins to influence the desire for close human contact.

The esteem needs follow the love and belonging needs, according to Maslow, the esteem needs are ranked as higher and lower. The lower version addresses the need for the respect of others, the need for status, fame, recognition, and appreciation. The higher form considers self-respect; however, it includes confidence, competence, independence, and freedom. The higher form is considered so because it highlights self- respect, which is a higher achievement.

The preceding four levels are called Deficit needs, because if you do not have something you feel the need, thus, a deficit.

The last level in Maslow's hierarchy is Self-actualization or growth motivation. This level is different from the previous four in that, they continue to be experienced. The term "self-actualization," expresses the nature of this level. To be the best you, that you can be, becoming the most complete and satisfied with the person you are. To get to this stage, all of the other needs have to be met to some extent. If the lower needs are not met, you cannot commit to fully fulfilling your potential.

Maslow used a qualitative method called biographical analysis to look at the kind of people called self-actualizers. He looked at a group of people he decided met his qualification of self-actualizers, among this group were: Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein,