ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the links between humanistic/existential models and chaos theory. The humanistic/existential orientation to human behavior was based on the second assumption, that human behavior is intrinsically too complex to be adequately described through empirical methods and mechanistic descriptions. One aspect of humanist theory that can be further refined through an understanding of chaos dynamics is Maslow's paradigm of 'self-actualization'. According to humanist philosophy, every person has an equally significant thread to weave into the fabric of humanity. Humanistic psychology developed out of several theorists' displeasure with both the psychoanalytic and behaviorist perspectives. These theorists experienced the existing paradigms as too limiting, dehumanizing, and mechanistic. Humanists insisted that such phenomena as self-identity, meaning, attachment, altruism, and values were important aspects of experience that needed investigation and attention in the social sciences. Humanistic/existential theories stressed creativity, self-actualization, intentionalism, free choice, spontaneity, and a holistic approach as important considerations in studying humans.
