Personality is deeply ingrained and relatively enduring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior (Burger, 2000). Personality usually refers to that, which is unique about a person, the characteristics that distinguish him or her from other people. Psychological perspectives on personality development remain influential, including the psychodynamic perspective, the humanistic and existential perspectives, the behavioral perspective, the cognitive perspective, and the sociocultural perspective. This paper will explore the similarities and differences between the biological and humanistic perspectives of personality development. The focus will be on the major theorists and key points of both perspectives of personality development.
Biological vs. Humanistic Theories.
Humanistic Perspective .
The focus of the Humanistic perspective is on the self, which translates into "You", and "your" perception of "your" experiences (Humanistic, 2001). This view argues that you are free to choose your own behavior, rather than reacting to the environmental stimuli and reinforcers. Issues dealing with self-esteem, self-fulfillment, and needs are supreme. The major focus is to facilitate personal development. The humanistic perspective views abnormal behavior as resulting from a person's failure to find meaning in life and fulfill his or her potential. The humanistic school of psychology, as represented in the work of American psychologist, Carl Rogers, views mental health and personal growth as the natural conditions of human life (Personality, 2001). In Rogers's view, every person possesses a drive toward self-actualization, the fulfillment of one's greatest potential. Mental illness develops when circumstances in a person's environment block this drive. .
The two major theorists associated with the Humanistic perspective of personality development are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Carl Rogers" theory is a clinical one, which is based on years of experience dealing with his clients.