Final answer:
Fulfillment theories focus on meeting hierarchical needs to achieve self-actualization, while congruence theories emphasize alignment between self-concept and actual selves. Incongruence leads to maladjustment, as does unmet needs according to fulfillment theories. The evolutionary mismatch hypothesis relates to congruence theories by addressing discrepancies between human biology and modern environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
In psychology, fulfillment theories and congruence theories provide differing perspectives on the development of self and the sources of psychological discomfort or maladjustment. Fulfillment theories, exemplified by the work of Abraham Maslow, emphasize the importance of meeting certain hierarchical needs to achieve self-actualization. On the other hand, congruence theories, such as those proposed by Carl Rogers, focus on the alignment between a person's self-concept and their actual selves.
When there is a discrepancy between the self-concept and the actual selves, Rogers proposed that individuals experience a state of incongruence. This state can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, anxiety, and maladjustment. In contrast, fulfillment theories suggest that not meeting basic and psychological needs will prevent an individual from reaching their full potential, leading to a sense of lack or unfulfillment rather than an incongruent self-concept.
Moreover, the evolutionary mismatch hypothesis sheds light on psychological maladjustment by suggesting that some modern-day stressors and living conditions are incongruent with the environment humans evolved to thrive in, leading to psychological and behavioral issues. This hypothesis is a form of congruence theory, as it also considers the compatibility between a person's biology and their environment, although it emphasizes biological approaches and the role of evolution in shaping human behavior.
Both fulfillment and congruence theories have in common that they highlight the importance of individual choices and challenge the notion that biology is solely deterministic. Instead, they offer a more nuanced view that considers the interplay between individual agency, psychological needs, and environmental factors in the development of self and the manifestation of psychological health or distress.