Personality Theory Analysis

Personality Theory Analysis

Jamee Conour

Psy/405

October 26, 2015

Sarah Lind

Personality Theory Analysis

I have chosen to write this paper in order to be able to compare and contrast that of the humanistic and existential personality theory, and the learning theory. Both of these theories are extremely important in the fact that they are able to present to us various different points of view as to the way that we as humans are able to interact and behave in specific manners and the very diverse personality characteristics that each one of us possesses. In conclusion this paper will be able to give a better explanation of the ways that both characteristics are able to work together in conjunction of the interpersonal relationships.

Humanistic/Existential Personality Theory

Interpersonal Relationships

Humanistic and Existential theories play a huge role in interpersonal relationships and the way that the individuals are able to relate and interact with one another whether it is one on one or in groups. These interactions are very important when it comes to being able to understand the physiological aspect of the theory, and better to aid in the psychological health of that person. The humanistic and existential theories are made up of three different categories or ideas from three major names in the psychological world. All three of these psychologists have all made great advances in their fields of study. Each one of them was able to contribute their own versions and thoughts on the theories. Abraham Maslow’s theory on holistic theory, Carl Roger’s person-centered theory, and Rollo May’s existential theory each play a big part in the way that each theory is able to be understood and explained.

Person Centered Theory

        Carl Rogers believed that being able to have a positive regard to interpersonal relationships was highly important to a person being able to obtain positive health psychologically, and that with any of the relationships that the person may have whether they be therapeutic, personal or any other kind of relationship that they may have that it be of the greatest importance and held with the utmost regard. With unconditional positive regard it is important to be aware of how to be able to do that and remembering that you need to be accepting to the other person openly without holding back or having any reservations towards that person. The theory shows that you must have complete openness and acceptance of a person allowing them to be able to feel total comfort without showing signs of possessiveness and allowing the room for personal to growth (Feist & Feist, 2009) it is very imperative that with a persona centered theory that the individual be able to continue to be able to move forward in a positive and constructive manner or direction in order to be able to truly be able to grow and to be able to achieve a form of self actualization within themselves. Without being able to move forward with the positive regard they will never truly be able to achieve any form of self actualization.

Holistic Dynamic Theory

Abraham Maslow firmly believed that the force or motivation behind ones personality is the need to constantly grow. “The whole person is constantly being motivated by one need or another, and that people have the potential to grow toward psychological health, that is self actualization (Feist & Feist, 2009). A person will not be able to reach a form of self actualization until their lower needs are able to be completely satisfied and secured first, only then will they be able to reach that next level of actualization. Maslow believed that that every person has a need of some sort and some kind and with that need fulfillment the person is motivated to be able to meet the goals that they have set for themselves in order to reach their final goal which in turn will lead them to their self actualization.

Existential Psychology

        Rollo May’s theory on existential psychology devotes its main focus on free will of an individual to be able to make decisions in any and all situations that the individual may be in. This free will includes any and all behavioral experiences that are resulted with a person making a conscious decision made of their own free will. May’s theory states that people are responsible for their own actions when making choices. May believed the motivation behind his theory of existentialism is that of anxiety and other forms of dread that are able to fuel these motivators.

Anxiety is a big influence on that of situational behaviors, and is the feeling that a person has when they feel like the walls are closing in, it is accompanied by nervous behaviors and unpleasant feelings of dread over the events that are unfolding or about to unfold. Anxiety can be long term or short term depending on the severity. Existential anxiety can have many different causes or triggers that can happen when a person is faced with a form of existential crisis or angst. Existential anxiety can be overcome as one strives to be able to maintain psychological health and wellness.