Humanistic Psychology

1049 Words3 Pages

Humanistic theory in psychology is an approach that aims to study the whole person, with a special focus on what makes each individual person unique. An important term that all humanistic psychologists subscribe to is phenomenology. Phenomenology refers to how personality is studied through an individuals subjective experience. In other words phenomenology is an individuals conscious experience of the world. Humanistic psychology is a split from behavioral and psychodynamic psychology due to many limitations researches felt those theories had. Humanist disagreed with the fundamental assumption of there being little to no free will that both behaviorist and psychodynamic psychologist made. Other problematic assumptions that behaviorist make …show more content…

Maslow, a popular humanistic psychologist, developed his hierarchy of needs based of the assumptions above. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was also developed as result to his desire to understand what motivated people. Maslow theory states that people are motivated by achieving specific needs, not by unconscious desires or rewards like other theories would suggest. Maslow’s hierarch of needs features five levels, which are often represented in a pyramidal structure. Once an individual satisfies needs in one level, they will be able to move on to the next level. Maslow pyramid includes basic needs and growth needs. Basic needs that motivate people include physiological, safety, love, and esteem. The longer it takes for a person to obtain these basic needs, the stronger the desire to reach them becomes. Growth needs include self-actualization. Self actualization is a term that refers to an individual realizing and achieving their own potential. Maslow’s five need that will be analyzed according to Chris Kyle’s personality is physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self …show more content…

While in the military as well as in other facets of Kyle’s life he was able to develop and maintain friendships, intimacy, and love for others. This can be seen in Kyle’s excessive desire to protect those close to him. If Kyle did not feel so deeply for his brothers in arms, he would not have put his own life at risk countless times to save theirs. Kyle also maintained close relationships with his brother and wife while serving. Kyle was seen several times in the movie American Sniper calling his wife, which according to Maslow is something he would not do if he did not feel his needs for love was not

Open Document