Humanistic theory - personality

• Study of how/why people differ
• socially/culturally constructed concept

• emerged in 60s
• in reaction to pessamistic approaches to psychology
• has optimistic outlook on human nature and personal development
• doesn't see conflict as inevitable
• behaviour influenced by our perceptions

• 'client centred therapy'
• warm supportive approach focused on feelings
• client does own growing
• unconditional positive regard
• client has answers and directions - therapist need to help them find it

self-actualisation

• Unconditional positive regard`
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Disclosure
• Reflection

• client won't disclose everything
• client might feel unworthy
• client may hold onto negative aspects of themselves

Therapist must believe that people are basically good and demonstrate this to client

Rogers believed people are competent in seeing their mistakes and knowing change is needed even if don't initially admit it

Therapist must disclose too, research shows we share as much as the other does

• People say their beliefs are more real when they are repeated back to them by someone else. 
• Therapist must reflect clients beliefs, not interpret them

• the present is the most important aspect of the person, therefore humanists focus on now, not past or future
• H theory is reality based and to be psychologically healthy, people must take responsibility for themselves, whether person's actions are positive or negative
• The individual by being human posses inherent worth. If actions are negative, doesn't make person negative.
• The goal of life should always be personal growth and understanding. Only through self-improvement and self-knowledge can one be truly happy.

• self-actualisation
• hierarchy of needs
• without meeting initial needs of triangle, not able to continue our life and move up

• Physiological
• Physiological needs eg food, water, sleep, oxygen

• Safety and security
• seek safety through others and strive to find a world that will protect us and keep us from harm

• Belonging and love needs
• focuses on desire to be accepted and fit in and to feel like we have a place in the world

• Esteem needs
• focus energy on self respect, respect from others and feel we have made accomplishments, strive to move up in careers, gain knowledge about world

• very few people reach this stage
• refers to complete understanding of self

• Physiological
• Safety
• Belonging and love
• esteem

• understanding
• Aesthetic
• self actualisation
• transcendence

• motivation for behaviour is unique to person's tendencies (innate and learnt) to develop and change in positive directions towards self-actualisation 
• drive for self-actualisation conflicts with need for approval
• All theories move towards self-actualisation