Final answer:
The humanistic personality perspective is optimistic about human nature, emphasizing self-actualization and free will. It emerged as a reaction to the determinism of psychoanalysis and behaviorism, focusing on personal growth and the fulfillment of an individual's potential.
Step-by-step explanation:
The humanistic personality perspective represents an optimistic look at human nature, emphasizing the self and the fulfillment of a person's unique potential. Humanistic psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers focused on potential growth, striving for self-actualization, and the freedom for individuals to become their best selves. They contributed significantly to our understanding of the self, with their perspectives emphasizing free will, self-determination, and the innate capacity for self-directed change.
The humanistic approach is part of the 'third force' in psychology, presenting an alternative to the determinism of psychoanalysis and the reductionist approach of behaviorism. This perspective takes a more holistic view of human development and strives to understand the innate goodness and personal growth potential inherent in all individuals. It emphasizes how healthy people develop, pursuit of self-actualization, and the fulfillment of hierarchical needs as a pathway to achieving one's fullest potential.