Personality Theory Analysis: Humanistic And Existential Approach

Personality Theory Analysis
Kimberly Hollis
PSY/405
January 13, 2015
Jarvis Brinson

Personality Theory Analysis
Humanistic and existential approaches have made a huge impact pertaining to behavior, changing the focus of psychological standpoints. It started off where the focus was centered on the cause of behaviors then altered to the individual itself. Both humanistic and existential approaches are centered on the present and future involving experiences rather than the experiences that have happened in the past causing the current mental state in individuals.
The theoretical approach of humanistic and existential altered the focus pertaining to psychological standpoints. Once altered, it was no longer the cause of behavior that was
The humanistic approach examines the individual as a whole individual in general. In this approach inner feelings and self concept play a huge role in behavior. The three things that humanistic approach focuses on are free will, conscious decision making, and the abilities and exploitation in humans. The humanistic approach, an individual will take complete advantage of opportunities when given and are open to exploring new ideas that are capable of enhancing their life. The existential approach is much more centered-person. This approach it is more about an individual knowing and accepting their own mortality. In the existential approach, more insight is gained into who an individual is by making free choices while developing a much better sense of being. The humanistic approach and existential approach share familiar personality factors, but different ideas of what develop personalities. Both approaches believe that psychological health engage interpersonal relations, the presence or need of interpersonal relations, how one is treated within themselves, and how one performs in interpersonal
In the humanistic approach, it is imperative to have strong positive interpersonal relationships because it is healthy for psychological health. It is unconditional positive regard that makes individuals accepting of others while remaining warm leaving behind evaluation and reservation. It is the complete acceptance without being possessive that makes other individuals feels comfortable allowing personal growth to happen. When an individual feels like they are understood and not being judged at the same time is empathy between others. Having empathy and unconditional positive regard leads to self actualization while achieving psychological health. The opposite of unconditional positive regard are conditions of worth. When relationships are focused on conditions of worth, self actualization is not reached because an individuals act in ways that are only accepted by others. In the existential approach, it is about separate being in the world. Individuals must accept separateness when it involves themselves. Interpersonal relationships play a role in the existential approach, but individuals must bring personal responsibility accepting who they are while finding meaning. Two concepts in the existential approach are love and will. When love and will is reunited, individuals are able to move forward while expressing care for other individuals. A way to develop interpersonal relationships while