Question

A humanistic (phenomenological) approach to personality states that:

a) we are the products of the phenomena that we encounter.
b) only objective events, and not perceptions, are the most valid when studying personality.
c) people's perceptions and subjective realities are more important than objective events.
d) phenomena that occur in childhood are more important than what occurs later.
e) people vary in the degree to which they create their own phenomena.

Answer 1

The humanistic (phenomenological) approach to personality emphasizes individuals' subjective realities over objective events, focusing on personal growth, self-actualization, and the unique experiences of each person.

Step-by-step explanation:

The humanistic (phenomenological) approach to personality states that people's perceptions and subjective realities are more important than objective events. This perspective emphasizes the individual's capacity for personal growth, free will, and self-actualization. Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, notable humanistic psychologists, suggest that each person has an innate potential to achieve their fullest, and strive toward self-actualization. The approach is focused on the unique, personal experience of each individual, rather than deterministic or purely behaviorist views that may overlook the depth of human experience.

Humanistic psychology posits that people are not merely products of their environment but have an inherent potential for personal growth and self-directed change. This stands in contrast to the deterministic nature of psychoanalysis or the behaviorist view that behavior is entirely determined by genetics and environment without considering personal interpretation and cognitive processes.