The Humanistic Approach to Personality

The two historical contexts that began the development of the humanistic approach were the need for another aspect in psychology that focused on learning behavior in more simple terms and the philosophical idea in Europe of existentialism. Some psychologists did not agree with other approaches such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Behaviorism focused too much on data and did not study the person as a whole. These psychologists also felt that psychoanalysis was too fixed and negative. The humanistic approach was a new perspective that was formed to focus on a more positive approach to people. Existential philosophy addresses questions such as; the meaning of our existence, the role of free will, and the uniqueness of each human being (Burger, 2014, p. 278).

The humanistic approach to personality is directly related to human behavior. The main distinction between the humanistic approach and the other personality theories such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis is that people are assumed to be largely responsible for their actions (Burger, 2014, p. 277). In general, humans choose what they do despite environmental factors and for the most part are conscious beings. Two humanistic theorists that have made an impact in this personality theory are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. They believed that the way a person views the world subjectively is better than the objective reality of the world. The humanistic approach encourages that there is more to behavior than only what we can observe. When thinking about my personality and how I relate to the world, the humanistic approach is the most relatable as opposed to behaviorism and psychoanalysis.

According to Jerry M. Burger (2014), there are four key elements of the humanistic approach. The first key element of the humanistic approach is a personal responsibility. Unlike the behavioral approach, which states that humans react based on things that they cannot control, the humanistic theory to personality states that people shape their own lives (Burger, 2014, p. 279). People also possess the freedom to change which can only be limited by physical restraints. The second key element of the humanistic approach is an emphasis on the here and now. This approach concentrates on how a person is feeling “here and now” instead of trying to figure out what happened in the past that led a person to those kinds of feelings. Humans cannot completely function until they focus on living their lives as they happen. The third key element of the humanistic approach is the experience of the individual. This theory would argue that the objective reality of the world is less important than the subjective reality of the person. This individual experience makes it more difficult to study the objectivity of behavior since it is based on a person’s subjective reality. The final key element of the humanistic approach is personal growth. This is sometimes referred to as “fully functioning” by Carl Rogers and “self-actualization” by Abraham Maslow. We are all motivated to progress toward some ultimately satisfying state of being (Burger, 2014, p. 281). Fulfillment in life is a basic human motive that concerns psychological growth and satisfaction in life.

There are strengths and limitations to the humanistic approach. One of the main strengths of this approach is that it encourages that there is more to behavior than just what we can observe. Behaviorism and psychoanalysis view behavior as a result of environmental influences. The humanistic approach looks at behavior as a whole instead of just some aspects of behavior. The theories of behavior that are studied in regards to humanism do not need to be justified by any other means. One of the main limitations of the humanistic approach to personality is that it lacks the thoroughness of scientific research that behaviorism and psychoanalysis possess. There is not really any evidence to support any of the humanistic theories. Although, relying on scientific data makes this perspective less valid.

In general, the humanistic approach to personality has a positive outlook on behavior. An emphasis on personal responsibility, the here and now, focusing on the experience of the individual, and emphasizing personal growth are the four most important criteria for classifying this approach (Burger, 2014, p. 307). This perspective also believes that people seek meaning in everything that they do. People have goals and reaching these goals is very important for fulfillment in life. The humanistic approach also states that people can make choices that affect them and others, and those choices have a sense of responsibility. 

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