HUMANISTIC APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING HUMANITY 2

Humanistic Approach to Understanding Humanity

The humanistic perspective emphasizes the human awareness, activity, and power to
change self. It is also known as the third force of psychology and was developed in response to
psychoanalysis. Self-actualization is a term that is closely associated with the humanistic
perspective on personality. It is regarded as an intrinsic process by which an individual develops
and achieves their ultimate potential. The humanistic perspective is seen to have an influence on
positive psychology, which is a new segment of modern psychology. This paper analyzes the
humanistic approach to understanding personality.
Humanistic psychologists make some fundamental assumptions regarding human nature.
First, human experiences such as remembering, perceiving, feeling, sensing, and thinking are
central (Friedman & Robbins, 2012). Human behavior cannot be accurately understood by
studying animals. Also, the subjective experience of an individual primarily indicates their
behavior. However, not all behavior among humans is determined. Humanistic psychologists
also state that free will exists, and human beings should take personal responsibility for their
growth, satisfaction, and development. Individuals are inherently good, especially in childhood,
and can experience change if the right conditions are made available. Each individual is unique
and so are their experiences. Thinking as a human reason does not struggle or contrast with the
instinctive and rather emotional aspects of human nature. However, these sides of human nature
are synergic and cooperative and are thus not necessarily antagonistic.
Human psychology views it as a natural occurrence for human beings to reach their
maximum potential or what psychologists refer to as self-actualization. Self-actualization is a
central concept and is understood as the intrinsic tendency for individuals to thrive toward

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expressing or reaching their full potential (Friedman & Robbins, 2012). Maslow’s thinking
regarding this concept is borrowed from Aristotle’s metaphor. The philosopher states that “what
a person is and that which the person could be” are two concepts that exist simultaneously for the
psychologist (Friedman & Robbins, 2012). Thus, psychologists also deal with the dichotomy of
“being” and “becoming.” Self-actualization presents real goals even when they are yet to be
achieved or actualized (Friedman & Robbins, 2012). Thus, a human being is defined by that
which he is and that he yearns to become. Human beings demonstrate in their nature an absolute
pressure towards being fuller and realizing more of his humanness.
Carl Rogers, a humanistic psychologist, defines the human being as a “biological
organism” who has various capacities for awareness, experience, and imaginative action
(Cartwright et al., 1991). A human being’s principal motive is to actualize these three potentials
and can do so if the available conditions do not act as a hindrance. The core aspects of
experience and awareness are the concept of self and feelings. When an individual has an
understanding of the self, they are authentic. They express their true selves and are not afraid
when people experience both their good and bad sides.
Personal authenticity refers to the degree to which an human’s genuine self is functional
or operative in their day-to-day lives. Psychologists characterize authenticity as necessary in a
person’s well-being. The main components of authenticity include self-understanding or
awareness, unbiased processing, behavior, and relational orientation (Kernis & Goldman, 2006).
The awareness component of authenticity entails knowing one’s values, motives, feelings,
weaknesses, strengths, and needs. The component is vital in one’s personality aspects. For
instance, humans are exclusively dominant or submissive, feminine or masculine, extraverted, or
introverted. These are prevalent aspects of one’s personality. Even though, when a person

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functions in great authenticity, they know that and are aware of the existence of multi-faceted
aspects of their personality. Depending on their interchanges with their environment and others,
they use their awareness to know which aspect of their personality dominates (Kernis &
Goldman, 2006). Thus, an authentic person knows how to relate to others.
Authenticity also entails the component of unbiased processing of information that is
relevant to oneself. It is objective assessment and acceptance of self-aspects and evaluating self-
relevant information regardless of whether it is positive or negative (Kernis & Goldman, 2006).
It is not distorting, denying, or distorting positive and negative information regarding the self.
For example, there are certain individuals who fail to acknowledge that they have limited skills
in a certain field. Instead of accepting this information and working on getting better, they
belittle the importance of the skills or change their score. There are also some other people who
do not acknowledge their positive aspects. These two types of people are biased in the way they
process self-relevant information. They, therefore, exhibit a relative absence of self-evaluation
authenticity. They are not authentic, and this shows in their personality as well as how they relate
with others.
Authenticity also entails a person’s behavior, specifically whether they act in accordance
with their true self. When an individual behaves authentically, they act according to their
preferences, values, and needs (Kernis & Goldman, 2006). They do not act to conform to social
norms, please others or even comply with set expectations. There is a distinction between acting
falsely and acting authentically. When a person acts falsely, they exhibit limited behavioral
authenticity for purposes of avoiding punishments or getting external rewards. Behavioral
authenticity exists when a person expresses their true selves even when such an unadulterated
expression of one’s real self could lead to adverse consequences. Authentic behavior does not

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arise from a compulsion to be true. On the contrary, it arises out of one’s choice to express their
true inclinations, feelings, and motives.
The other component of authenticity entails an individuals’ relational orientation to
others. It involves the degree to which one achieves truthfulness and openness in heir close
relationships. When a person demonstrates relational authenticity, he or she values when other
people have access to their real selves, regardless of whether they are good or bad. It is an ability
to express one’s true self to others. It is a process of engaging in self-disclosures that are directed
towards developing mutual trust and intimacy. Therefore, expressing relational authenticity
entails showing people what an individual is, what they believe in, and their philosophies in life
(Kernis & Goldman, 2006). it is also about expressing emotions, both good and bad, depending
on how someone exactly feels about something. It is about being genuine in one’s close
relationships.
The four components of authenticity entail understanding the self. They often play a
collaborative role in how someone relates with themselves and with others. In some instances,
however, the four components do not operate alongside each other. For instance, someone may
be authentically aware of themselves, but they are still processing and thinking through some
information about the self. However, authentic functioning is correlated to positive psychological
health. It contributes to a person’s well-being. Research has shown that authentic functioning
relates directly to less depression, more secure self-esteem, and healthier interpersonal
relationships.
Positive psychology focuses on deep satisfaction and meaning in life. It mainly focuses
on three issues, positive institutions, positive individual traits, and positive emotions. Exercising
positive emotions entails being content with one’s past, being happy in the current life, and

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hopeful for a better future (Christopher et al., 2008). Positive emotions may include happiness,
interest, and anticipation, and these broaden a person’s awareness and encourage thoughts and
actions that are exploratory, varied as well as original. Positive emotions have the potential to
undue persistent negative emotions. If an individual deliberately cultivates human emotions, then
they are enabled and strengthened to handle negative emotions. Thus, positive emotions have a
broadening effect and enable people who have had a rather bad past to find good in their present.
When an individual is resilient, they are capable of experiencing positive emotions during their
hard times, such as when they are under stress.
Positive psychology holds that positive emotions have the potential to build on long-
lasting physical, intellectual and psychological capabilities. However, positive emotions are
temporary. Persons must constantly find new ways on how they can experience positivity as
some of the old techniques become ineffective over time. Thus, one’s personality relies heavily
on their potential to harness their power and maximizing on positive emotions (Christopher et al.,
2008). They must engage in emotional labor where a person deliberately cultivates a positive
mood to align with the outward emotion that they need to display at a given time. Thus, positive
emotions need effort. It is one thing to put on a smiling face, and it is another thing to actually be
happy. Thus, one must intentionally work on feeling happy even as they put on a happy face for
the outside world. Also, happiness and positive emotions, in general, are highly contagious.
People who spend time around happy people also tend to be happy, and the case applies to other
emotions.
Based on this analysis, it is evident that the environment has an impact on personality.
Personality is founded on three main human characteristics; feeling, thinking, and behaving.
Positive psychology suggests that positive characteristics largely contribute to positive outcomes

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in life. Thus, people who have a positive personality tend to experience greater positive
psychological characteristics compared to their counterparts who tend to embrace the negative
dimensions of personality. People who spend much of their time around those who have a
positive personality tend to also experience positive psychological characteristics. Thus, people
shape each other’s personalities. Human beings have an innate need for closeness (Maslow,
1958). Therefore, the people close to a person directly impact their behavior.
Humanistic theorists explain anxiety as constant feelings of threat and danger (Maslow,
1958). People who struggle with anxiety experience feelings of inferiority. They struggle against
such feelings and will tend to avoid situations where their competence will be tested. They may
also comply even when they do not necessarily believe in what they are doing as a way of
seeking positive regard. They experience frequent feelings of being embarrassed or humiliated.
They almost always sense their own difference and creativity from that of others and experience
frequent feelings of self-doubt. In most instances, such people do what others want and try to act
nicely towards others. However, according to humanistic theorists, anxiety and psychological
instability are normal parts of life that can be dealt with in therapy. Most of the problems that
humans face are embedded in anxiety. However, these theorists argue that free will, love,
authenticity, and creativity can help a person overcome anxiety. These are recognized potential
avenues through which transformation can occur, and individuals can live meaningly lives even
when they face uncertainty.
Losses experienced in life remind individuals of their human limitations, and these are
likely to cause anxiety. Failure to exercise choice and judgment enough are some of the problems
that lead to anxiety. Scholars argue that humans have a personal responsibility to make meaning
out of their lives. Humanistic theorists focus on helping individuals free themselves from

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experiences, attitudes, and assumptions that could lead to anxiety and make them unable to live
meaningful lives. The emphasis is mainly on self-actualization and optimal growth. The target is
on conscious processes, and these theorists tend to overlook unconscious processes that could be
the cause of anxiety. Humanistic theorists argue that persons have an inherent capacity to take
full responsibility and direct their growth (Timulak, 2018). A humanistic theorist believes that
one of the sources of anxiety is a failure to be one’s true self. They advocate for authenticity, and
their role is mainly to help an individual’s inner drive to actualize in the right direction.
Positive psychologists view anxiety as a mental illness that can be addressed through
cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). According to CBT, people’s thoughts are the root cause of
their problems (Timulak, 2018). Through CBT, a person’s thoughts, feelings, and response to
issues can be modified to ensure that they do not experience problems such as anxiety. The core
principle of this form of therapy is to help individuals develop an attitude that is self-driven. By
so doing, they can take responsibility and bring the change that they want to see in their lives.
Positive psychologists encourage people to further develop their own positive emotions and
experiences as one of the ways through which they can deal with anxiety.

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