Humanistic And Existential Personality 
Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories
Carmen Jimenez, Christin Ferebee, Allina Johnson, and Christopher Bilbrey
PSY/405
August 25, 2014
Dr. Seeley
Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories
Humanistic and existential personality theories are a combination of philosophical doctrine moving towards the psychological realm. The intellects that formed humanistic and existential personality theories are Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Rollo May. Theorists first of their kind to study the human race in an unorthodox method, that limited behaviorist and psychodynamic psychology, and rejected scientific psychology (McLeod, 2007). Humanistic psychologist; Maslow and Rogers study the whole person 's inner feelings, self- concept, and their uniqueness in a qualitative method (McLeod, 2007). Humanistic believed; each person has an inner self-determination to evolve and enhance psychologically to become fully human in a conscious state. Maslow created a pyramid with five conative needs called hierarchy of needs. The pyramid represents the lower levels of needs which are basic needs, elevating to the highest level of needs. Each conative needs are physiological, safety, love/belongingness, and esteem must be satisfied to reach the highest level called self-actualization. According to Fields (2013), each level of needs have motivator characteristics (p. 256).Roger 's person-centered theory is the concept of formative tendency and actualizing tendency (Field, 2013). Individuals have the free will and self-direct to evolve or enhance to achieve the highest level of personality. Rogers believed in innate and environmental elements shaping behavior, but individuals have the control and intellect to self-direct their behavior. Existential psychologist Rollo May believed people find meaning in their life, but some ultimately lack the courage to control their destiny and lose sight of their freedom to have choices. May believes an individual is
Carmen Jimenez, Christin Ferebee, Allina Johnson, and Christopher Bilbrey
PSY/405
August 25, 2014
Dr. Seeley
Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories
Humanistic and existential personality theories are a combination of philosophical doctrine moving towards the psychological realm. The intellects that formed humanistic and existential personality theories are Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Rollo May. Theorists first of their kind to study the human race in an unorthodox method, that limited behaviorist and psychodynamic psychology, and rejected scientific psychology (McLeod, 2007). Humanistic psychologist; Maslow and Rogers study the whole person 's inner feelings, self- concept, and their uniqueness in a qualitative method (McLeod, 2007). Humanistic believed; each person has an inner self-determination to evolve and enhance psychologically to become fully human in a conscious state. Maslow created a pyramid with five conative needs called hierarchy of needs. The pyramid represents the lower levels of needs which are basic needs, elevating to the highest level of needs. Each conative needs are physiological, safety, love/belongingness, and esteem must be satisfied to reach the highest level called self-actualization. According to Fields (2013), each level of needs have motivator characteristics (p. 256).Roger 's person-centered theory is the concept of formative tendency and actualizing tendency (Field, 2013). Individuals have the free will and self-direct to evolve or enhance to achieve the highest level of personality. Rogers believed in innate and environmental elements shaping behavior, but individuals have the control and intellect to self-direct their behavior. Existential psychologist Rollo May believed people find meaning in their life, but some ultimately lack the courage to control their destiny and lose sight of their freedom to have choices. May believes an individual is
References: Feist, J. G., (2013) Theories of Personalities. (8th ed.) McGraw-Hill, New York, NY McLeod, S. A. (2007). Humanism. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/humanistic.html