Preview

A comparrison of the theories of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1086 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
A comparrison of the theories of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
The Theories of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Maslow and Rogers come from a school of thought, which is referred to as Humanistic. Such an approach steers away from the idea that man is a robot, who is the total product of outside forces, as the Behaviorist would maintain; or that man simply results from the interaction of primal drives and the demands of community - a belief held by many Freudians.

The Humanistic approach accepts the 'human qualities' of the individual; that man is born with an inherent potential for self-actualization. Maslow considers such self-actualization to be the pinnacle of human expression - the final stage of human development. The self-actualized person is 'wholly and fully human'.

There are several factors which distinguish the Humanistic Approach from other approaches within psychology, including the emphasis on subjective meaning, a rejection of determinism and a concern for positive growth rather than pathology.

The theories of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers both include a much emphasized concept of self actualization and the characteristics which are required in order to achieve it. Their theories in the aspect of self actualization are very similar with only a few slight variances. Both Rogers and Maslow categorize self actualization as the highest goal or driving force of the human needs system.

Carl Rogers was not only one of the founders of the Humanistic Approach, but also arguably the most influential therapist in the 20th century: a number of surveys, including several done after his death, found that more therapists cited Rogers as a major influence on their thinking and clinical practice than any other person in psychology (including Freud).

Like Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow is widely regarded as one of the founders of the Humanistic Approach. While less influential among therapists than Rogers, Maslow became very well known to the, due to his interest in applying psychological principles in business settings. In

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Since the 1950s when Maslow, Rogers and May developed what came to be known as the Humanistic…

    • 2903 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Another strong influence of Rogers ' model was Maslow 's theory of self- actualisation. Maslow (1943) believed people are motivated to achieve certain needs that are not related to rewards. He developed a theory that people strive to ‘self-actualise’, to become the best they can be.…

    • 875 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Humanistic theories concentrate in the present rather than the past or future. Also, decisions that individuals take reflect on their actions, and whether these actions are positive or negative there is a sense of responsibility for them (Allpsych online, n.d.). According to Carl Rogers a theorists who studied and concentrated on humanistic approach along with Maslow, every individual is different, but every single person is valuable to the environment where they live. Each individual has a purpose in life and their everyday goal is to grow and reach their fullest…

    • 1475 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The humanistic movement was established as a way to expand and improve upon the two other schools of thought; behaviourism and psychoanalysis, which had, up until the first half of the 20th century dominated psychology. An American theorist called Abraham Maslow began to research creativity in humans through art and science. He first introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation”. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is most often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid are made up of the most basic needs, for example food and shelter, while the more complex needs are located at the top of the pyramid. Maslow emphasised the importance of self-actualisation, which is a process of growing as a person to achieve individual potential and fulfilment. Self-actualisation requires the decision of what a person wants from life and how they are going to get there. It is not an end in itself; it is a never ending process of growth. The humanistic movement wanted to take a more holistic look at psychology by encouraging personal growth and self awareness. In 1964, Maslow, along with fellow theorists Carl Rogers, the psychologist responsible for person-centred therapy, and Rollo May, an existential psychologist who represented the European currents of existentialism, attended the First Invitational Conference on Humanistic Psychology in Connecticut, USA. It was during this conference that the third force in psychology was named and the humanistic approach was born. This approach expanded its influence throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, and continues to be extremely relevant today. A strong area of this approach is the focus on the goodness of humanity, as well as the free will to change. The most significant criticism is its lack of specific approach to treatment aimed at precise problems. The humanistic…

    • 2513 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The self-actualisation theory was created by Maslow in 1943. This theory is based on the hierarchy of needs. This theory is an ongoing process. This theory is not something which is aimed for by a person, instead it’s something you do. In addition to this, the theory is not restricted to individuals; anyone is able to achieve this hierarchy of needs. The hierarchy is made up of levels these levels are; physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs and finally, is all of the above are achieved, according to Maslow they are able to then reach self-actualisation. Maslowski.R.M, Morgan.L, (1973). The first stage of this theory is the biological and physiological needs, in order to achieve this a person must have the basic needs of living, they are; air, food, fluids, shelter, warmth, shelter, warmth and sleep. The safety needs of the hierarchy include protection from elements, security, order, law, stability and finally freedom fear. The love and belongingness stage of Maslow’s theory requires friendship, intimacy, affection and love from work colleagues, family, friends and romantic relationships. McGuire.K.J, (2012) pp281. The fourth stage of the hierarchy of needs is…

    • 1937 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    When breaking down the differences with how Abraham Maslow used personality and development that consisted of theories based solely on the personality part of human needs. His hierarchy of needs pyramid shows the influences of human needs to the formation of unique individual personality. There are factors of biological needs that influence the formation of the way the personality has an impact role, which shapes relationships by reviewing Maslow’s personality theory. By reviewing the relationships you will be able to see focused similarities and it’s upcoming. Analyzing the aspects that are essential to the theory of humanistic approach with the personality of explanations will enlighten you to the differential views of each individual theory of personality.…

    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Week 3 Paper psy 250

    • 1466 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In 1943 Maslow wrote a paper titled “A Theory of Human Motivation”, this is where his concept of a hierarchy of needs was first introduced. The basis of this hierarchy is that each person must be motivated when it comes to fulfilling their basic needs first before they are at all able to move on to the level of needs that will come next. The bottom part of his pyramid of needs covered our most basic of needs such as food and water, and the needs that are considered harder to reach are put on the top. Throughout the progression of the pyramid a person will become my socially and psychologically invested in the needs they are trying to meet. Both Maslow and Rogers believed and put emphasis on what is known as self-actualization. Maslow based his way of reaching this on five levels of needs.…

    • 1466 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Comparison of Two Theories

    • 1201 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Humanistic and existentialism theories postulate a holistic approach to understanding and determining personality, and the psychological health of the whole person (Feist & Feist, 2009). Abraham Maslow, Gordon Allport, Carl Rogers, Rollo May, and others are theorist of this school of thought (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 275). It is also known as the third force in psychology with the first force as psychoanalysis, and the second, behaviorism (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 275). Dispositional theorist, such as Gordon Allport, Raymond Cattell, Hans Eysenck, and others held the basic assumption that each individual is unique in behavior, and therefore rare (Feist & Feist, 2009, 375).…

    • 1201 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Carl Rogers (1902-1987) was a humanistic psychologist agreed with most of what Maslow believed, but added that for a person to "grow", they need an environment that provides them with genuineness (openness and self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood).…

    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Theories of Personality

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Humanistic perspective focuses on an individual’s uniqueness and their ability and responsibility to make choices in their lives. Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers were the founders of this theory they believed that a person's free choice, free will, and understanding of their own experiences and feelings. The meanings of events in his or her life are the most important things to study. Carl Rogers believed that Human nature is viewed as basically good and that we all strive for actualizing tendencies but never reached them if based on the opinions of others. Rogers used client-centered therapy to raise the self-concept of the client and stop their tendencies to look for others opinions. The client’s esteem needs will be met and hopefully seize from concerning other people’s opinions. Rogers also developed a q-sort to judge the self-concept.…

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Each theory has its own explanations in how one’s personality becomes affected and so do the humanistic and existential theories. The holistic-dynamic theory carries many different names including the humanistic theory or the third force in the psychology and came to life because of one important humanistic psychologist, Abraham Maslow. According to this theory, one possesses the ability, as an entire person, to reach the stage of self-actualization, which is something that is part of everyone’s life and happens naturally once the time is right. Maslow thought that people go through different levels before he or she can actually reach their full potential. He also believed that one is always driven (there are four different dimension by which one is motivated, which are conative, aesthetic, cognitive, and neurotic) by his or her needs but at the same time, immediate needs are not everything. Rather, one is interested in his or her continuous positive development. However, to be able to do so, one must first meet the lower end needs of hunger, love, and…

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    He also believed that all humans are instinctively good. The humanistic theory focuses on human potential, purpose, and values as the key motivational drives. With his humanist ideas, Rogers suggested that each person is responsible for his or her life and maturity (Freidman & Schustack, 2009). The humanistic theory explains the idea that people naturally develop toward self-actualization, and unlike the biological explanation of personality, humanists reject the proposal that individuals are controlled by unconscious or environmental forces. The key point of this theory that cannot be over looked is that human beings have free will, the right to make their own choices. Whether the choice is good or bad is not of concern, simply the fact that humans can control their own destiny is what is important. As a result, heredity, environmental, and biological factors are no longer in control of personality development. As a result, Rogers believed that people are inherently creative, capable of self-directing, able to make constructive changes, and able to live flourishing, effective, and productive lives (McLeod, 2007). While humanistic and biological theories have many differences and fewer similarities, both are likely to produce great results when approaching individual…

    • 1191 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Psy 250

    • 1102 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The basic perceptions of humanistic and biological theories vary significantly. There are some basic ideas behind humanistic psychology. Humanists focus on the present rather than looking at the past or toward the future. Well individuals should take responsibility for themself; regardless of the actions and every individual possess inherent worth. Even negative actions do not negate the value of the person. The achievement of personal growth and understanding is the goal of life (Friedman & Schustack, 2012).…

    • 1102 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nurture Debate

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Humanism believes in the influence of individual experiences on a person’s perception and comprehension of the world around them, and furthermore the acknowledgment of the influence of biological drives and needs. This approach suggests that one will alter their perceptions in order to conform to society and to achieve self-actualization, the realization and fulfillment of one's talents and inherent capacities. Humanism typically considers that people discern themselves on behalf of constant pressure from society, but free will is only reached after the fulfillment of basic needs. This idealism includes specific studies concerning self-actualization and the fulfillment of one’s life purpose (Sammons, “The Humanistic Approach: The Basics”). These studies include Abraham Maslow’s basis regarding the hierarchy of needs. Maslow offered the opinion that those who satisfy their particular needs become rare and remarkable individuals completely rendered through their own ideas, coincidentally shaped by…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Motivation Evaluation

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In November 2009, Oprah Winfrey delivered the shocking news that she will end her show in September 2011. The Oprah Winfrey Show is viewed by 42 million viewers weekly, it was the number one talk show for 23 successive seasons, and it received numerous awards throughout its history. Oprah’s decisions to take on the show, stay the course, and ultimately to end the show was motivated by psychoanalytic, humanistic, and diversity motivations.…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays