Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Worksheet Abraham Maslow proposed the Hierarchy of needs theory of personality.

According to Maslow, self-fulfillment and realization of one's full potential are examples of self-actualization needs.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs proposes that basic needs must be satisfied before secondary/higher level needs will become motivators for behavior.

The belief that matter evolves from simpler to more complex forms is evolution.

The ideal self according to Rogers, is one's view of self as one wishes to be.

Carl Rogers believed that conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization are all considered undifferentiated.

Rogers believed that counselor congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy are necessary elements of psychotherapy.

Intentionality is the structure that gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future.

May proposed that existential freedom is the freedom of action, whereas essential freedom is the freedom of being.

10. The basic concepts of existential theory are freedom and responsibility.

Matching

Match the following theoretical components with their correct theorist or theorists.

Theoretical component

Theorist

1. Unconditional positive regard

B. Carl Rogers

2. Eros

C. Rollo May

3. Love and belongingness needs

Abraham Maslow
4. The self-concept

B. Rogers

5. Guilt

C. May

6. Levels of awareness

B. Rogers

7. Self-actualization

B. Rogers and A. Maslow

8. Neurotic anxiety

C. May

Short-Answer

1. According to Maslow, what are the characteristics of self-actualizing people? Why are these characteristics important? There are 15 characteristics of self-actualizing people, which are important because they allow people to reach their full growth potential. These include: more efficient perception of reality; acceptance of self, others, and nature; spontaneity, simplicity and naturalness; problem-centered; need for privacy; autonomy; freshness; peak experiences; social interest; profound interpersonal relations; democratic character structure; discrimination between means and ends; sense of humor; creativeness; and resistance to enculturation.

2. What are the strengths of the humanistic theories in regard to their explanation of personality?

The humanistic theories are seemingly simple, which makes them easy to understand. They suggest that all people can achieve the highest states with sufficient effort. They suggest that people, as a whole, are moving to higher states of being.

3. What are the limitations of the humanistic theories in regard to their explanation of personality?

Despite being seemingly simple, the theories are actually somewhat complex…