Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Many researchers believe that many aspects affect an individual’s personality. This paper is will analyze the biological and humanistic approaches to personality. This paper will also use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to discuss at the extent in which growth needs influence personality formation, describe biological factors that influence the formation of personality, examine the relationship of biological factors to Maslow’s theory of personality and explain the basic aspects of humanistic theory that are incompatible with biological explanations of personality. The concept that individuals inherit their personalities from their parents is the biological approach to personality. Unlike the Big Five, this theory founded by Hans Eysenck establishes three dimensions: extroversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.
They each have their own theoretical assumptions in terms of what constitutes behaviour; variously observable responses, inner experiences, cognitions and emotional states, or both. An additional veneer of complexity is posed by the normal/psychopathological distinction. Unsurprisingly, each approach, espouses different therapeutic strategies which, in themselves, can enlighten us as to their varying behavioural explanations. I shall outline and evaluate the key features of each approach on an individual basis, and attempt to assess the extent to which each provides a workable explanation of behaviour relative to their theoretical others. I The biological approach asserts that human behaviour can be explained physiologically and neurologically.
Individual Programmatic Assessment: Personality Development Paper Tony Lopez PSYCH 645 August 3, 2015 Individual Programmatic Assessment: Personality Development Paper The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader of Individual personality development in terms of nature v. nurture and examines the effect on twins and on the influences that trait theory and biology, such as temperament have on personality development. Cultural factors have an effect on personality expression in terms of gender roles and group cultures such as collectivist and individualist cultures. Three personality models: 1. Biological-model 2. Five factor trait theory, and 3.
By going into further detail of these perspectives, I will be able to assess their contribution to our comprehension of human behaviour; using research studies to give basis to my arguments. The two perspectives I have chosen to cover are the biological and social learning perspectives. The Biological Perspective The biological perspective concentrates on the human body, and proposes physical factors as the driving force in behaviour. This means that mental illnesses are regarded as just that; illnesses, and that they are caused by a change in the body just like any other illness or disease. Biological psychologists believe that the key aspects of neuroanatomy, biochemistry and genetics are crucial in our understanding of human behaviour.
Running head: Personality Theories Personality Theories PSY/211 Personality Theories The existence of personality theories correspond to how scholars analyze and assess the development of human identity and behavior. Each viewpoint provides a specific understanding of what cultivates personality and the corresponding factors that influence such behavior. One way to analyze personality is through the lens of psychoanalytic theory. The main argument of this theory is that problems or issues pertaining to psychology can be rooted to one’s unconscious (McLeod, 2007). Specifically, the problems are influenced by latent issues surfacing in the conscious mind.
Duplicate the pyramid from the Maslow sample below onto a poster board. Label the various stages. For each chapter, post the two properly cited quotations that support Richard's placement on the hierarchy. Questions: Email: kshea@manchesterct.gov; b11bwarr@manchesterct.gov What motivates behavior? According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions are motivated in order achieve certain needs.
Compare and contrast between the evolutionary approach and the psychodynamic approach? This essay endeavours to critically analyse and evaluate the predominant arguments of the ‘Evolutionary Approach’ (EA) and the ‘Psychodynamic Approach’ (PA), introducing three main arguments which focus on the similarities and opposing influences within the psychological field. It highlights the main aspects of the approaches, explaining their concepts and techniques used. It elaborates arguments solely focussing on the application, empirical evidence and the role of adaption and protection. To begin, the ‘Evolutionary Approach’ seeks to identify our origins, history and how we interact with other life forms (Losos, Arnold, Bejerano, Brodie & Hibbett, 2013).
Personality psychologists claimed that one of the most profound challenges is to account for personality development, that’s why they put this into a study whether an individual’s behavior are caused by heredity or the environment, this study is known as the “nature” and “nurture”. First, the nature suggests that human behavior is driven mostly by biology (evolution, genetics, brain chemistry, and hormones). In contrast, the nurture suggests that behavior is driven mostly by psychosocial environment (for example, how we were raised, our peers, the situations we are in at present). Both nature and nurture contribute to who an individual is, but to better comprehend the nature versus nurture debate, we should look at the essential characteristics that make up this controversy. Humans are unique and highly-intricate creatures.
The humanistic theory has the great tendency to encourage the human drive toward an ultimate goal that is predetermined. There are different perspectives when it comes to our personalities affect on our behavior or the situation we are in. There are many diverse explanations on interpersonal relationships, which should provide an abundance of the human thought and a understanding how humanity can apply their psychological thoughts. “ Social constructivism claims knowledge, behavior and personality are constructed from social engagement, and humans building new ideas and concepts that are based on current and past knowledge or experience (Feist and Feist, 2009). Reference Dr. C. George Boeree (n.d.) Individual, Existential and humanistic Psychology, retrieved on August 20, 2011 from
Carl Rogers states ‘ The organism has one basic tendency and striving- to actualize, maintain and enhance the experiencing organism’ (Rogers, 1951, p487). But for a person to be able to grow and self- actualise they need to be in an environment that provides them with congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy. The Psychodynamic Theory works with feelings that are in the unconscious mind, the subconscious and it is about going back into the clients past and understanding the causes of their beliefs, ways they then behave, thoughts and feelings. People throughout their lives may build up shields to mask these painful feelings, but they still will affect the way the person is as they are often hard to face. These shields are demonstrated in behaviour.