The Humanistic Perspective
Humanistic Evaluation Techniques of Personality
At the time that the humanistic perspective was introduced into the field of psychology, tests had to be devised that emphasized the certain view of the theory. The mostly widely known test, which hones in on the humanistic perspective, is the Q-sort test. The Q-sort uses a deck of 100 cards to evaluate someone's personality. On each card is a character trait: outgoing, reserved, determined, and so on. The person being evaluated is told to consider the trait on each card, determine whether it is like them or not, then distribute the cards in rows of nine, with one being very unlike the person and nine being very much like the person. The person being evaluated is then required to place the most cards in the middle stack, while placing fewer cards on either end. By this test and it's arrangement, the test giver determines which traits describe the person as well as determine how strongly they describe him. The test may then be used for a person to identify his ideal character traits to be viewed in relation with his actual ones. This test evaluates personality exactly as the humanistic theory views personality. Just as the humanistic perspective focuses on the individual and the betterment of the individual, this test offers an easily understandable self-analysis, and character ideals.
Security Criterion Sort
Based on 8 experts' Q-sort description
of the Hypothetical Most Secure Infant
Item # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
00 8.00 1.80 4.80 6.20 6.30 2.20 4.30 3.30 6.50 2.30
10 7.50 6.00 2.70 7.80 7.70 5.20 3.50 8.50 7.70 4.20
20 8.80 6.50 2.70 4.50 2.00 3.30 6.30 7.50 4.30 2.30
30 2.50 7.20 1.30 1.20 4.30 8.80 4.80 1.20 4.70 6.50
40 8.50 8.20 4.70 7.70 5.20 5.70 7.20 6.00 6.30 3.50
50 4.70 3.80 8.50 1.50 7.00 2.70 4.00 3.20 3.80 8.50
60 1.80 5.50 2.00 7.00 1.80 7.00 4.00 5.00 2.30 8.00
70 8.80 4.50 5.20 1.50 1.20 3.20 7.70 4.50 1.00 8.50
80 1.80 4.00 6.50 5.00 7.50 6.50 5.80 1.20 6.50 8.30
Criticism of the Humanistic Theory
The humanistic theory is undoubtedly a great contribution to the field of psychology. Many questions and concerns about, however, remain unanswered. One particular question that many consider unanswerable, which leads to criticism of the theory is question of whether human nature is naturally good or bad. The humanistic theory is criticized for assuming that it is good, when much evidence points either way. Another criticism is the humanistic theory's nonexistent focus on a problem and the treatment of it. Many complain that a base of free will has no relevance to treating illnesses. Finally, the humanistic theory is criticized on a third point that is very much related to the second point. It is criticized for being unable to avoid any assistance for healing the mentally ill, especially in serious cases.
Humanistic Evaluation Techniques of Personality
At the time that the humanistic perspective was introduced into the field of psychology, tests had to be devised that emphasized the certain view of the theory. The mostly widely known test, which hones in on the humanistic perspective, is the Q-sort test. The Q-sort uses a deck of 100 cards to evaluate someone's personality. On each card is a character trait: outgoing, reserved, determined, and so on. The person being evaluated is told to consider the trait on each card, determine whether it is like them or not, then distribute the cards in rows of nine, with one being very unlike the person and nine being very much like the person. The person being evaluated is then required to place the most cards in the middle stack, while placing fewer cards on either end. By this test and it's arrangement, the test giver determines which traits describe the person as well as determine how strongly they describe him. The test may then be used for a person to identify his ideal character traits to be viewed in relation with his actual ones. This test evaluates personality exactly as the humanistic theory views personality. Just as the humanistic perspective focuses on the individual and the betterment of the individual, this test offers an easily understandable self-analysis, and character ideals.
Security Criterion Sort
Based on 8 experts' Q-sort description
of the Hypothetical Most Secure Infant
Item # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
00 8.00 1.80 4.80 6.20 6.30 2.20 4.30 3.30 6.50 2.30
10 7.50 6.00 2.70 7.80 7.70 5.20 3.50 8.50 7.70 4.20
20 8.80 6.50 2.70 4.50 2.00 3.30 6.30 7.50 4.30 2.30
30 2.50 7.20 1.30 1.20 4.30 8.80 4.80 1.20 4.70 6.50
40 8.50 8.20 4.70 7.70 5.20 5.70 7.20 6.00 6.30 3.50
50 4.70 3.80 8.50 1.50 7.00 2.70 4.00 3.20 3.80 8.50
60 1.80 5.50 2.00 7.00 1.80 7.00 4.00 5.00 2.30 8.00
70 8.80 4.50 5.20 1.50 1.20 3.20 7.70 4.50 1.00 8.50
80 1.80 4.00 6.50 5.00 7.50 6.50 5.80 1.20 6.50 8.30
Criticism of the Humanistic Theory
The humanistic theory is undoubtedly a great contribution to the field of psychology. Many questions and concerns about, however, remain unanswered. One particular question that many consider unanswerable, which leads to criticism of the theory is question of whether human nature is naturally good or bad. The humanistic theory is criticized for assuming that it is good, when much evidence points either way. Another criticism is the humanistic theory's nonexistent focus on a problem and the treatment of it. Many complain that a base of free will has no relevance to treating illnesses. Finally, the humanistic theory is criticized on a third point that is very much related to the second point. It is criticized for being unable to avoid any assistance for healing the mentally ill, especially in serious cases.