Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Worksheet
Fill-in the Blank
1. Abraham Maslow proposed the _________________ theory of personality.
2. According to Maslow, self-fulfillment and realization of one’s full potential are examples of ________________ needs.
3. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs proposes that ____________ needs must be satisfied before ____________ needs will become motivators for behavior.
4. The belief that matter evolves from simpler to more complex forms is ____________________.
5. The ___________, according to Rogers, is one’s view of self as one wishes to be.
6. Carl Rogers believed that conditions of worth, incongruence, defensiveness, and disorganization are all considered ___________________________.
7. Rogers believed that __________________________, _______________________, and _________________ are necessary elements of psychotherapy.
8. _______________ is the structure that gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future.
9. May proposed that ___________________ is the freedom of action, whereas __________________ is the freedom of being.
10. The basic concepts of existential theory are _______________ and ___________________.
Matching
Match the following theoretical components with their correct theorist or theorists.
| Theoretical component | Theorist |
| 1. Unconditional positive regard | A. Abraham Maslow |
| 2. Eros | B. Carl Rogers |
| 3. Love and belongingness needs | C. Rollo May |
| 4. The self-concept | |
| 5. Guilt | |
| 6. Levels of awareness | |
| 7. Self-actualization | |
| 8. Neurotic anxiety |
Short-Answer
1. According to Maslow, what are the characteristics of self-actualizing people? Why are these characteristics important?
The characteristics of self-actualizing people according to Maslow these people have realistic perceptions of themselves, others and the world around them. Accepting themselves and other for who they are. They are concern with solving problems outside of thenselves, including helping others and finding solutions to problems in the external world. These people are often motivated by a sense of personal responsibility and ethics. They are very spontaneous in their internal thoughts and outwards behavior. According to Maslow these charateristics are very important to have fulfillment of personal needs in terms of life’s meanings.
2. What are the strengths of the humanistic theories in regard to their explanation of personality?
One of the greatest strengths of humanistic theory is that it stresses personal choice and responsibility. It also justifies people idea of what being human means because it values personal ideals and fulfillment. Also it provides researchers with a flexible outline for observing the behavior of humans considering a person in the contex of environment also with personal perceptions and feelings.
3. What are the limitations of the humanistic theories in regard to their explanation of personality?
One major limitation of humanistic theory is that its concepts are too vague. Critics argue that subjective ideas such as authentic and real experirnces are difficult to objectify, an experience that is real for one individual may not be the same for someone else. This is the reason why the critics believe that conclusions drawn from subjective experiences are almost impossible to verify.
4. What are the strengths and limitations of May’s existential theory in regard to their explanation of personality?
One Strength of existential theraphy is the ability to enable patients to look at the degree to which their behavior is influenced by their families, culture, and social environment. It the individual personal needs can’t be meet or their goals can not be attained they may experience frustration, anxiety, or depression. One of the limitations of existential therapy in thearea of multicultural populationa is that they are excessively individualistic and ignores the social factors that causes human problems.