Biological And Humanistic Approaches To Personality

Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality
PSY/250
University of Phoenix

Theories in the field of psychology, more specifically personality, strongly rely on the collection of observational data. These observations are key in the development of certain theories. However, conflicting theories often arise. For that reason, in order to understand personality, different approaches must be studied. The biological approach explains that genes and hormones play a large role in personality development. Biological theorists follow the belief that genetics control personality and rely on thinking rather than feeling (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). On the other hand, humanistic approaches find self-actualization, spirituality, and personal
responsibility more important. They rely on feelings rather than thought processes. Free will is the key to this approach, which is sometimes considered difficult to scientifically measure (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). Biological and humanistic approaches to personality have greatly supported the understanding of a multitude of aspects of the development of our personalities. These views have provided insight into the influences that affect the growth and uniqueness of psychological traits. The theorists behind humanistic and biological views differ just as much as the theories themselves.
Of the many biological and humanistic academics that shaped this field, one humanistic theorist stands out from the rest. Abraham Maslow, an American professor of Psychology, believed that every human being is comprised of an instinctive drive for personal growth. With this belief he created a pyramid called the Hierarchy of Needs, which consists of progressing levels of human needs. Maslow explained that a person must meet the basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid before they can advance to the next levels. The peak of the pyramid, or final need, is self-actualization. This climax is defined as “a complete understanding of who you are, a sense of completeness, of being the best person you could possibly be” (Heffner, 2001). Self-actualized individuals have healthy personalities, and have achieved a great deal of personal growth. They are also considered to be spontaneous, socially sensitive to the needs of others, and enjoy interpersonal relationships. Maslow believed that while some people may be able to reach this final tier, very few are able to master it. Based on his beliefs, it is quite easy to see how important fulfilling needs truly is when it comes to personality growth. However, there are still several other factors to consider when looking at the development of personality. Is it possible to determine if a trait or a personality feature is inherited through biology or the environment? Researchers in genetics have been trying to tackle this question for many years, and conclusions have been established that some biological factors can influence the development of a person’s personality. Those factors include genes, brain structure or neurotransmitters, and environment. Genetic factors can influence personality through temperament. For example, genetics can influence individual differences based on how someone reacts and/or responds to their environment. According to Dr. Christopher Heffner, “most experts in the field of psychology and biology agree that the mind and the body are connected in more complex ways than we can even comprehend” (Heffner, 2001). Neurotransmitters are the main component behind those connections. Numerous different neurotransmitters hold the ability to affect the way we feel, behave, and learn (Heffner, 2001). Each influential biological factor tends to play off of another in order to influence the formation of a person’s personality. Biologic theorists should not be underestimated. One of the leading biologic theorists, Hans Eysenck, concluded that all human traits can be divided into three distinct categories, known as super traits. Those categories were extroversion-introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. He determined that these traits rarely change over time, and believed that they were inherited, and therefore unavoidable (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). While humanistic theorists believe that people are basically good, biologic theorists tend to believe in the science behind temperaments (Friedman & Schustack, 2009).
Maslow believed that personality is linked to hereditary and human potential. This is due to his idea that the natural drive for self-actualization comes from the inside of a person rather than from the outside (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). According to his theory, the biological needs, such as food and shelter, need to be met before moving on to meeting psychological needs. He divided these needs into two categories: deficiencies, which are our needs or motives, and safety needs, which are necessary for survival. The physiological needs are the basic things we need such as food, water and shelter. The safety needs are psychological things we need to survive. For example, the need for relationships, belonging, and/or love. The humanistic perspective has more in common with Maslow’s theory on personality development than genetics do as they both share the tendency for
actualization. Similar to Maslow, Carl Rogers saw a self-actualizing inclination in human development, even though he was a humanist.
He also believed that all humans are instinctively good. The humanistic theory focuses on human potential, purpose, and values as the key motivational drives. With his humanist ideas, Rogers suggested that each person is responsible for his or her life and maturity (Freidman & Schustack, 2009). The humanistic theory explains the idea that people naturally develop toward self-actualization, and unlike the biological explanation of personality, humanists reject the proposal that individuals are controlled by unconscious or environmental forces. The key point of this theory that cannot be over looked is that human beings have free will, the right to make their own choices. Whether the choice is good or bad is not of concern, simply the fact that humans can control their own destiny is what is important. As a result, heredity, environmental, and biological factors are no longer in control of personality development. As a result, Rogers believed that people are inherently creative, capable of self-directing, able to make constructive changes, and able to live flourishing, effective, and productive lives (McLeod, 2007). While humanistic and biological theories have many differences and fewer similarities, both are likely to produce great results when approaching individual
personalities. What we are all aware of when it comes to personality development is that it is incredibly complicated, and that there are an abundance of factors that can ultimately gain a role in the development of a person’s personality. A multitude of scientists have all made remarkable contributions to the study of personality development. However, what we have also learned is that the subjectivity of each person is too difficult to capture using a single perspective. Personality is simply too complex to be put into a single category. Understanding that humans are a rational species will help experts keep an open mind towards the different approaches to personality assessment.

References
Friedman, H. S. & Schustack, M. W. (2009). Personality: Classic Theories and Modern Research (4th Ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
Heffner, C. (2001, April 1). Motivation and Emotion. All Psych Online. Florida: Heffner Media Group. Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/psychology101/motivation.html.
Maslow, A. H. (1987). Motivation and Personality (3rd Ed.). New York: Harper & Row. Retrieved from http://www.chaight.com/Wk%2015%20E205B%20Maslow%20-%20Human%20Motivation.pdf.
Maslow, A. H. (1969). Toward a Humanistic Biology. Vol. 24(8). 724-735. US: American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/24/8/724.pdf.
McLeod, S. A. (2007). Carl Rogers. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-rogers.html.