Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories
The two psychologists most infamous for their respective work on humanistic/existential theory were Carl Rodgers and Abraham Maslow. Both men were influential and impacting within their respective approaches to the theories and provided substantial contributions along the way. According to Koltko-Rivera, M.E. (2006), Abraham H. Maslow (1908–1970) was arguably one of the most important psychologists of modern times. In a recent survey, Maslow was found to be the 14th most frequently cited psychologist in introductory psychology textbooks; on the basis of various indicators, some researchers proclaimed Maslow as the 10th most eminent psychologist of the 20th century (Haggbloom et al., 2002).
Conceptualization of Individual Personalities with Humanistic and Existential Theories
The main points surrounding the humanistic theory are narrowing in on the present and here and now versus utilizing the past to make predictions about the future. The humanistic theory also reviews whether an individual can take responsibility for himself or herself and hold themself accountable despite being correct or incorrect. Self-esteem and one’s self-worth are essential to how one can value oneself and impact the decision-making towards actions, whether positive or negative in nature. The last component of this theory is attempting to try and grow personally, stimulate oneself, and obtain a better understanding of the workings of one’s self, working towards obtaining knowledge to better oneself and work towards self-improvement. Maslow created a hierarchy of needs that demonstrates that lack of needs being met within lower level needs cannot be met until the higher level needs are met. For example, an individual must be confident and possess a sense of self-worth after sustaining a meaningful relationship. Having basic needs met will thus impact whether a person seeks out foster relationships and makes friends.
According to Feist et al. (2009), people partially satisfy their physiological and safety needs, and they become motivated by love and belongingness needs, such as the desire for friendship; the wish for a mate and children; the need to belong to a family, however, the basic needs must be met first. Another example is from Maslow himself. When he was sick in love, he could not properly concentrate on his college school work and, as a result, produced average grades, even though Maslow possessed a high IQ. There was a direct relationship between his basic needs and his performance in college. Maslow did not pursue his formal education at Cornell initially and opted out for another college due to his lack of self-confidence; he initially applied elsewhere and later only completed one semester at Cornell. There is a direct relationship between basic needs and how, for example, anxiety can manifest itself into other issues if one’s needs are not met.
Perception of Interpersonal Relationships with the Influence of Humanistic and Existential Theories
There are many theories that would define how important it is to develop a positive view of their essence because it is the power to them through the choice he or she make. Most everyone continually searches for the meaning of life and why he or she exists. Many existentialists believe that, ultimately, each of us is responsible for who we are and who we become. As Sartre (1957) said, “Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself. As humans, we can have many associations with others, some healthy and some not so healthy; either way, it is our choice.
Interpersonal relationships are those in which a strong bond is built between two people. In order for a healthy interpersonal relationship to take place, one must share common goals and similar interests and think along the same lines. Interpersonal relationships are also those that. Have respect for each other. In order for the relationships to be healthy, the individuals must be attached to one another.
Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Examples
Growing up and learning the different emotions that come with life start to build with experiencing new things in the world. There are so many different situations that can be lived through, like divorces, death, new environment, marriages, and worldwide changes like wars or presidential changes that can cause humanistic/existential theories to affect how people interpret their personalities in a conceptual way. Through the choice of how people react to the outcome of the situation, anxiety, guilt, care, love, and freedom are what a person experiences or has the choice to take on while facing the situation.
People have the freedom and choice to take on responsibility for how they view their emotions and can go in a positive direction and fight for what they feel or think is right or give in and allow someone else to overpower their choices. Just like May studied, “He saw people as living in a world of present experiences and ultimately being responsible for who they become” (Feist & Feist, 2009). Through this strong belief, it was known that some choices came with consequences. Louis Hoffman states, “This consequence is often not very noticeable, but may find expression through guilt and anxiety, depression, or even anger” (2004). With the consequences that result, sometimes there may be a sacrifice that is the best decision to go along with the decision in freedom and/or responsibility that the person has chosen.
References
Feist. J and Feist. G (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.) New York, McGraw Hill. Feist. J and Feist. G (2009). Theories of personality (7th ed.) New York, McGraw Hill.
Interpersonal Relationship Model. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/interpersonal-relationship-model.htm
Hoffman, Louis. (2004). Freedom, Responsibility, and Agency. Retrieved from: Http://www.existential-therapy.com/special_topics/freedom_and responsibility.htm
Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2006). Rediscovering the later version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Self-transcendence and opportunities for theory, research, and unification. Review of General Psychology, 10(4), 302-317. Doi: 10.1037/1089-2680. 10.4.302
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Question 
HUMANISTIC AND EXISTENTIAL PERSONALITY THEORIES
Based on your readings for this Week, access the Personality Theory Matrix and complete the requested information in the Column F section for Humanistic and Existential theory. You can use this information to support your Discussion post and response this week.
Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories
Note: Continue to populate the Personality Theory Matrix spreadsheet you began in Week 2 to guide your learning about personality theories for your Module Assessment and submit it in Week 8 as part of your Module Assessment.
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Review the Learning Resources, focusing on theorists, cultural considerations, assessments/interventions, limitations, and unique aspects of humanistic and existential theory.
Post two key ideas from the humanistic/phenomenological and existential theoretical orientation. How are phenomenological theory and existential theory related?
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