Develop a definition of the actualizing tendency. As a psychological scientist,
ID: 129112 • Letter: D
Question
Develop a definition of the actualizing tendency. As a psychological scientist, what aspects of human behavior would you count as evidence of this master motive? What aspects of Rogers’s theory make it existential and humanistic? Are there reasons to react negatively to Rogers’s theory as an instance of “existential humanism”? What are the critical differences between Skinner’s and Rogers’s views of human nature and the role that psychology can play in human lives? Which position do you find most appealing? Why?
Explanation / Answer
1. Actualizing tendency refer to the innate drive to grow as individuals and to achieve the full potential. We can say it is the "force of life", the inbuilt motivation in every life form to develop to their full potential so as to become functioning person and move toward completion or fulfillment of tones potential.
2. There are various things which can act as evidence of this master motive following are some among them.
Striving to achieve best out of one’s life, being open to new experiences, self-accepting, and capable of expressing emotions, overcoming problems rather than escaping from them are such things which we can count as evidence of this master motive.
3. Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, by attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. From humanistic point of view Rogers theory states that people strive to achieve the meaning and strive to grow up to fullest
. While as being existential this theory states that people are searching for the meaning of life. They are very similar, though, in the way that people achieve those ends - through personal responsibility and free will.
In conclusion we can say that humanistic and existential psychologists value the ability of humans to make their own choices and lead their own lives.
The critical differences between Skinner’s and Rogers’s views of human nature lies in the area of focus. Carl Rogers (and humanist psychology) emphasises inner life: the reality of inner experience, will, choice, freedom, feelings, growth, will, courage and self-actualisation. In contrast, B. F. Skinner (and behavioural psychology) emphasises outer life: external, observable behaviour, modes of reinforcement, and the problems of shaping and control.
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