Biological And Humanistic Approaches To Personality - Essay Example

? Analysis of Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Introduction: Personality of an individual is a model reflecting relatively lasting temperaments, distinctiveness or characters. It provides reliability to the conducts and behaviors of the individual. The personality of an individual can be assessed through the use of biological and humanistic approaches. The humanistic approach is depended on unconventional willpower and the biological approach is deterministic in nature. However, biological approach is associated with the time predestined for being cynical and pessimistic as well. The approaches are very different from each other “but can be of important use when assessing the personality of an individual” (Henry, n.d.). The present study focuses on an understanding of the biological and humanistic approaches towards understanding personality of an individual. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Abraham Maslow had given the model on the hierarchy of needs of human beings where needs have been divided into basic needs including physiological needs, safety needs, and needs for love and esteem, and into growth needs that include cognitive needs, aesthetics needs and needs for self-actualization (McLeod, 2012). It can be realized that while the basic needs of a human being would determine the needs that a human being would require in order to maintain their normal lives, the growth needs reflect on the needs of the individual wishes to grow and achieve self-actualization. Thus the conducts and behaviors would be influenced that influences the personality of the individual. According to Maslow, the motivations are different and changing at the different levels of needs, with different factors influencing the needs and hence the personality can be said to be influenced as well (The Hierarchy of Human Needs: Maslow’s Model of Motivation, n.d.). Maslow’s studies reveal that growth needs of individuals reflect their desires for self fulfillment and hence present a tendency to become actualized. This is associated with certain characteristics of the individuals- acceptance and realism, concerned with problem solving, spontaneity, autonomy and solitude, sustained brightness of admiration, and moments of intense feelings (Cherry, 2012). From these views of Maslow, it can be understood that with the changing needs of human beings, the characteristics of the individuals also tend to vary. This reflects on the influences that growth needs and needs for self-actualization have on the personality of an individual. Biological Factors Influencing the Formation of Personality: Heredity and environmental factor are the two main biological factors that influence the formation of personality of any human being. Inheritance of a trait is significant to the personality of an individual. Human beings inherit a predisposition towards a specific organization and tendency to perform in distinct ways. Thus this influences the development of individual personality. Considering the environmental factor, a significant role is played by the contact between the mother and the child for achievement of successful biological fulfillment. This factor is important for the personality growth of the individual at a child level. Feelings and emotions are significant determining the effects of care and love that have been found to improve the feeling of safety and protection of the individual as a young child (Biological and Humanistic Approaches Personality Assessment, 2011). The biological maturation on an individual actually determines the development of the personality of the individual. It has been observed in different studies that the differences in temperaments among different individuals are largely associated with the genetic foundations of the individuals in their childhood. The differences in the basics of the genetics determine the different psychological attributes carried by the different individuals. The physiology of the individuals is also determined by the genetic foundations that in turn have the capability to influence the environment conditions as well (Personality Development – A Biological Perspective on Personality Development, 2012). Relationship of Biological Factors to Maslow’s Theory of Personality: The biological factors may be associated with the Maslow’s Theory of Personality since according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model; the basic needs are determined by the needs of one’s lives. For example, the basic needs of food, shelter, safety, love and esteem are determined largely by the genetic maturation of an individual. The environment of the individual also determines the needs of human beings since the basic needs as well as the needs for self actualization may depend on the surroundings to which the individual belongs to. Biological factors are matters of concern in this regard since they distinctively determine the temperaments among the human beings. This in turn reflects on the personality development of the individuals (Personality Development – A Biological Perspective on Personality Development, 2012). Basic Aspects of Humanistic Theory: The psychology of humanistic theory depends on its belief on kindness and respect for human beings. It tries to understand and accept the existence and responsibility of individuals. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has also been associated with the humanistic approach. According to the theories of the humanists, “the present is the most important aspect of the person and therefore humanists focus on the here and now rather than looking at the past or trying to predict the future; humanistic theory is reality based and to be psychologically healthy people must take responsibility for themselves, whether the person's actions are positive or negative; the individual, merely by being human, posses an inherent worth; actions may not be positive but this does not negate the value of the person; and the goal of life should always be to achieve personal growth and understanding that only through self-improvement and self-knowledge can one truly be happy (People are Basically Good, 2003). The weaknesses of humanistic approach center around its need for tangible behavior approaches focused on particular aspects of human beings and their development of personality.  The basic concept is that the theory is a “free will” and hence it is not easy to build up a technique of treatment or to learn the efficiency of this procedure. Secondly, there are people and researchers who believe that humanistic approach “falls short in its ability to help those with more sever personality or mental health pathology. Finally, humanistic theory makes some generalizations about human nature that are not widely accepted as complete” (Against the Basics of Science, 2003). Conclusion: From the above study, it can be concluded that personality of an individual develops depending on several factors that may vary with the basic needs and necessities as well as their needs for growth in their lives. Biological and humanistic approaches may be used to identify the relationships of the different factors that eventually lead to the development of personality of an individual. References Against the Basics of Science (2003). Allpsych. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from: http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/humanistic_research.html Biological and Humanistic Approaches Personality Assessment (2011). Articlesbase. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/biological-and-humanistic-approaches-personality-assessment-4941807.html Cherry, K. (2012). Hierarchy of Needs. About. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from: http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm Henry (n.d.). Bilogical and Humanistic Approaches Personality Assessment. Articlesalley. Retrieved on November 23, 2012 from: http://www.articlesalley.com/article.detail.php/297534/53/College-University/Reference-and-Education/6/Biological_And_Humanistic_Approaches_Personality_Assessment McLeod, S. (2012). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Simplypsychology. Retrieved on November 23, 2012 from: http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html People are Basically Good (2003). Allpsych. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from: http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/humanistic.html Personality Development – A Biological Perspective on Personality Development (2012). Jrank. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from: http://social.jrank.org/pages/474/Personality-Development-Biological-Perspective-on-Personality-Development.html The Hierarchy of Human Needs: Maslow’s Model of Motivation (n.d.). personalityspirituality. Retrieved on November 23, 2012 from: http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-hierarchy-of-human-needs-maslows-model-of-motivation/ Read More