ABSTRACT
In Chapter 4, we define the humanistic and existential subschools of thought in personality psychology. Although the two subschools typically are grouped together as “humanistic”, we will see that existential theories are more concerned with issues of nonbeing than are humanistic theories. We will compare and contrast the perspectives with each of the subschools, respectively; and we will offer a critique of the humanistic/existential school in general. Because of the unique influence of Abraham Maslow’s version of self-actualisation theory, we examine Maslow’s theory in greater detail than we examine any other humanistic/existential perspective. Finally, we provide a prelude to Chapter 5 (Trait Perspectives on Personality).
