#AP Psychology Study Guide: Humanistic Theories of Personality & Self-Concept

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP Psych exam with a deep dive into humanistic theories and self-concept. We'll make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace this section! 💪

#Humanistic Theories of Personality

Humanistic psychology is all about seeing people as inherently good and capable of making their own choices. It's a super optimistic view that focuses on personal growth and potential. Let's break it down:

• Core Idea: People have free will and strive towards self-actualization. 💡

#Key Concepts

• Self-Esteem: How you feel about yourself. Do you like what you see in the mirror? 🤳
  • A positive self-esteem is a good thing! It means you generally feel good about yourself.
• Self-Concept: Your overall perception of who you are. "Who am I?" 👤
  • A positive self-concept means you see the world through an optimistic lens.
  • A negative self-concept can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction.
  • Your self-concept is influenced by how close you are to your ideal self (the person you want to be).

#Abraham Maslow and the Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow gave us the Hierarchy of Needs, a pyramid that explains how we're motivated. You need to satisfy the needs at the bottom before you can move up. Think of it like leveling up in a video game! 🎮

1. Physiological Needs (food, water, shelter) 🥐
2. Safety Needs (security, stability) 🏠
3. Love and Belonging Needs (relationships, connection) 💖
4. Esteem Needs (feeling accomplished, respected) 🏆
5. Self-Actualization (reaching your full potential) 🌱
   • Self-Transcendence is when you find a purpose beyond yourself and help others. This is even higher than self-actualization.

#Image Courtesy of Simply Psychology.

#Carl Rogers and Growth-Promot...