Personality Theorist

Humanistic Theory

Humanistic psychologists try to see people’s lives as those people would see them. They tend to have an optimistic outlook on human nature. They focus on abilities of human beings to think consciously and sensibly in controlling their biological forces, and to achieve their full potential. Some psychologists at the time disliked psychodynamic and behaviorist explanations of personality. They felt that these theories ignored the qualities that make humans unique, such as striving for self-determination and self-realization. In the 1950s, some of these psychologists began a school of psychology called humanism. Two psychologists, Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, became well known for their humanistic theories behind this school of thought.

Carl Rogers emphasis on human potential had an massive influence on both psychology and education. Beyond that Rogers is considered by many to be one of the most influential psychologist of the twenty century. More therapists cite Rogers as their primary influence than any other psychologist because of his nondirective approach to humanistic psychology. He introduced person-centered therapy, which holds that intrinsic tendencies toward self-actualization can be expressed in a therapeutic relationship in which the therapist offers personal congruence, unconditional positive regard and accurate empathic understanding (aph 2001). With this approach the therapist acts more as a facilitator rather then director of a therapy session. Carl Rogers contributions were endless and favorable, writing more than two hundred articles and sixteen books towards the humanistic concept of psychology. He also received many honors, including the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award of the American Psychological Association and was selected as selected humanist of the year by the American Humanist Association.

Over Rogers lifetime his influences contributed to successes towards his perspective on the humanistic approach. He grew up the forth child out of six in a strict religious and ethical environment. He became a rather isolated, independent and disciplined person, and acquired knowledge and an appreciation for the scientific method in a practical world. Rogers horizons began to expand when he encountered the Freudian psychoanalytic climate of the Institute for Child Guidance where he diagnosed and treated children. However, he began to question the standard methodologies and procedures of psychology due to the fact that he obtained better results upon simply listening and allowing his patient to determine the rate of treatment. In his book On Becoming a Person he stated that "Unless I had a need to demonstrate my own cleverness and learning, I would do better to rely upon the client for the direction of movement." (2002 penmarin)

In Rogers’s view, the self-concept is the most important feature of personality. It includes all the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs people have about themselves. Rogers believed that people are aware of their self-concepts but often feel threaten by it trying to protect themselves from anxiety resulting in individuals distorting their experiences so that they can hold on to their self-concept. For example a person may consider themselves to be very honest but often lie to their boss about why they are late to work. Rogers used the term incongruence to refer to the difference between the self-concept and reality. People who have a high degree of incongruence are likely to feel very anxious because reality continually threatens their self-concepts.

Most often anxiety can rule our lives and upset our work environment. By focusing on Rogers self-concept approach we can enable ourselves to grow and develop at work and through any problems we may have. Rogers counseling approach can be utilized not only in therapy but in a working environment.