Personality Analysis

Personality Analysis

Introduction

There is no specific definition of a personality, despite so many variations in the ideas regarding personality development. The theories of psychology regarding personality have evolved with time. This paper majorly focuses on conducting personality analysis on the basis of two psychological approaches, namely humanistic approach and existential approach. Further, to have in depth insight of personality and human needs, some questions are precisely focused in the paper to narrow down the focus. The role of personality and the human behavior is analyzed in various circumstances or situations. Further, personality characteristics are examined in relation to the two given theories of humanism and existentialism. In addition to this, this paper observes interpersonal relations that falls under the mentioned two theories of humanistic approach and existential approach.

Discussion

Humanistic Psychology

In the era of 1950's, humanistic psychology began to lay down its foundation in the response to the theories of behaviorism and psychoanalysis that dominated psychology in those times. Humanistic psychology focuses on every individual's potentials and it stresses the imperative significance of self actualization and growth of the individual. The primary principle of humanistic psychology is that every being is instinctively superior and social and mental issues arise from the deviation in the natural form (Cherry, n.d).

Abraham Maslow, along with William Glasser and Carl Rogers developed a theory of third force psychology (learn-usa.com, n.d). According to the theory of third force, all the people are genuinely good with the elements of beliefs, attitudes and values. A person becomes self-actualized with the inner strength and wisdom. Such inner strength is personally highly satisfying (Goble, 1971).

Some known psychologists of that time including Abraham Maslow held a meeting to discuss the new addition in the psychology theories and officially created the American Association for Humanistic Psychology in 1961.

Existential Psychology

Existential psychology, often said as existentialism is termed as a philosophical outlook that stresses the significance of freedom of the person. It greatly emphasizes on the implication of the free will and personal responsibility. In addition to this, existential approach put emphasis on the fact that every individual is responsible for the choice they make and for what they make of themselves (Cherry, n.d). In psychotherapy branch, existentialism approach insists the individuals to utilize anxiety in a constructive manner. In this approach, psychologists recommend to make their life go in positive direction by using anxiety in productive way rather than repressing anxiety.

Describe the role of personality in affecting situational behavior

In spite of so many variations in the ideas regarding personality development, the theories have evolved with time, thus, there is no specific definition of a personality. However, it can be said that personality largely depends on the insight of one's own perception regarding personality in real. Further, this individual's perception is the one that determines how one shall respond in an innumerable of changing situations. It is known that there is not much difference in the humanistic psychology and existential psychology of personality, specifically when it comes to give response to a ...