Theories of Personality

Theories of Personality
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Theories of Personality
Similarities and Differences between Rogers' and Maslow's Interpretation of "Self Actualization"
There are similarities and differences between Rogers’ and Maslow’s views concerning the concept of self-actualization. In terms of similarities, both Maslow’s and Rogers’s concepts of self-actualization belong to a school of thought normally referred to as the Humanistic school of thought. This school of thought disagrees with the Freudian school of thought which tends to assume that a human being is a robot who is a product of external forces. Whereas Freudians seem to indicate that human beings are total results of the interaction between primary drives and the community demands, humanistic thinking is based on the understanding that humanity is a product of internal factors. Both Rogers and Maslow tend to believe that human beings are born with an innate ability to self-actualize. That under favorable circumstances every human being is able to achieve the status of self-actualization. It is also important to note that both Rogers and Maslow put emphasis on the importance of self-actualization. They consider it as a process of growing and development which enables an individual to achieve individual potential (Comer & Gould, 2012).
In terms of differences, Rogers argues that a human being has an underlying actualization tendency which enables him or her to develop all his or her capacities in ways that maintain and promote his or her growth. Thus Rogers’ actualization tendency can be considered as a push to experience self in a manner which is consistent with an individual’s view of self. In contrast, Maslow argues that the need for self-actualization is facilitated by the desire of becoming increasingly of what one is. In other words, Maslow suggests that one is capable of becoming whatever he or she desires to become (Baumeister & Finkel, 2010).
Maslow puts the needs of an individual in a hierarchical order. According to Maslow, when the needs at one level are fulfilled, a person would next pursue the needs which exist at a higher level. Maslow’s needs are arranged in a hierarchical version which places the basic needs at the lower level and self-actualization at the highest level. Thus there is no way one can achieve self actualization without first satisfying the basic needs. In other words, an individual will have to first develop and actualized his or her potentials before reaching the self-actualization state. In contrast, Rogers identifies the process of distinguishing the potentials existing in one’s life as self-actualization. Rogers considers this process as being constructive, prospective and self-actualization (Comer & Gould, 2012).
Rogers also says that it is important for one to receive a positive feedback from other people due to the fact that an individual normally thinks by himself or herself from a positive perspective. Additionally, Rogers argues that in order for an individual to achieve the self-actualization status, he or she must have been in a relationship characterized by congruency, unconditional positive regard and empathy. In contrast, Maslow maintains that self-actualizing people are able to maintain their self-esteem due to the fact that the needs at the lower level have been satisfied. Therefore, even if rejected by others, such people are able to maintain their self-esteem (Baumeister & Finkel, 2010).
Role of "Self-Concept" in Rogers' Theory of Personality
According to Carl Rogers, the most important driving force of personality is the self-concept. Self-concept includes beliefs, thoughts and feelings that people tend to have about themselves. Rogers suggests that the self-concept is made up of three components. These are: self worth (self esteem), self-image and ideal self. Each of these three components plays a crucial role in influencing human personality. The component of self worth determines what people think about themselves. One’s self worth can be high or low. A person who is having a high self-worth demonstrates a sense of confidence and positive feeling about himself or herself. Such a person normally faces life challenges and accepts unhappiness and failure. Somebody who is also under the influence of high self-worth is also normally open to other people. On the other hand, somebody driven by low self-worth normally avoids life challenges. Such a person may not accept that pain and unhappiness is sometimes part and parcel of human life. According to Rogers, the...