Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality

Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality

Kali LaDuke

Psy/250

February 23, 2015

Maria Cuddy-Casey

Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality

There are many different theories of personality. While each one tends to describe a particular function of the personality, it is clear that no one theory can explain the sheer complexities of the human personality. Humanistic theories, particularly Maslow's Hierarchy, seek to explain the development of the individual and how a person goes from just being to becoming self-fulfilled (Friedman & Schustack, 2011). It also explains how a personality is affected by growth needs. Biological theories, however, focus on how personalities are formed in the collective species. Humans are reduced to genetic markers and neurological synapses. Genetics explains how a personality is developed from genetic and biological foundation. Both perspectives are needed however to encompass the complexity of human personality entirely.

Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs model is an example of the humanistic and positive theories of personality. The basic idea of the model is that in order for a person to develop a happy, well-adjusted personality entirely individual needs must be met and maintained. There are certain persons who have the potential to become self-actualized, or grow spiritually and realize their real potential (Friedman & Schustack, 2011). Successfully transcending the hierarchy means meeting the goals within the levels.

The lowest level of the model is the physiological needs, namely food, water, shelter, and sex. These are the most basic needs that sustain life and not having or worrying about where they are coming from causes stress and anxiety.   The second level is about feeling safe and secure. One will seek safety in other people as well as finding a sense of security in one's surroundings. The third level is finding a sense of belonging and love. Seeking out fulfilling relationships of friendship and love realize this stage. The fifth level finds a person in the want of esteem. Feeling accomplished and gaining a measure of respect from others is the mark of this stage.

The final stage of the hierarchy is self-actualization, which in itself has a series of other steps to transcend before becoming a self-actualized human being. Few people have the capability of reaching this wholeness. What most people experience are peak experiences. Those are times in life when things seem to be exactly as they should, or when one experiences a special connection with a moment in time (Friedman & Schustack, 2011). It is in these moments where the growth needs show their influence the formation of personality (Friedman & Schustack, 2011).