PERSONALITY THEORY – CARL ROGERS AND VICTOR FRANKL
Why is it that man lives without knowing the meaning of life or which path to follow? Some people ignore the suffering of a street child, while others respond with pity. However, there are those who not only offer a smile, but also take action to alleviate this sadness. They cook meals, create havens for children, or advocate for change. Some individuals may worry about mundane tasks at night, while others worry about the fate of a homeless child in harsh weather.
Man is a social being with a purpose. No two persons have the same purpose, and no two person’s journey to find that purpose is identical (quoted in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999). That is the beauty of this world – each individual’s life purpose contributes to a fully functioning world. For as many persons as there are in this world, there are as many paths to reach this state of self awareness or life contentment. For this reason, there are those that’s body and soul long to perhaps fight in a war and destroy mankind, those that wish to save and protect strangers, and those that never take the leap of faith to find out where it is that he fits into this strange world that we live in. For it is one’s personality, ones inner core, that is the deciding factor of ones relative position in any given society. Discovering this life purpose, and finding that one aspect of mankind that makes ones heart sore through the clouds, is paramount for self contentment and ultimately ones own happiness. It affects all actions and man’s daily existence. Yet, that first step into this unknown world needs to be taken with nerve. It was once said by an unknown source that, “one can never hope to discover new oceans if one does not have the courage to lose sight of the shore” (Van Lennep, 2005, p.8).
According to Victor Frankl (quoted in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999), he stated that in order to find oneself, one must first lose themselves. This is because man is primarily a conscious and spiritual being who has the ability to go beyond his own limitations and seek meaning in life (quoted in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999). By transcending oneself, man can gain a better understanding of who he truly is and discover his purpose in the world.
According to Carl Rogers (quoted in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999), all individuals are inherently driven by an actualizing tendency, compelling them to actively pursue experiences that contribute to their personal growth and well-being. This innate drive propels individuals towards increased complexity, independence, creativity, and social responsibility. To determine the value of experiences, individuals employ the organismic valuing process, which assesses whether experiences align with the actualizing tendency. Satisfying experiences are actively sought after, while unsatisfying ones are avoided. Healthy individuals utilize their organismic valuing processes as a guiding force in shaping their lives.
In order to achieve and maintain life purpose and transcend one’s “shell” of existence, both Victor Frankl (1999) and Carl Rogers (1999) emphasize the importance of finding meaning in life and seeking out experiences that contribute to this goal.
Personality refers to the behavior pattern that individuals consciously and unconsciously form to adjust to their surroundings. This includes cultural, ethnic, national, and provincial standards (Anderson, 2002, p.1323). It is expressed through an individual’s mood, interests, self-esteem, and value system – all crucial aspects indicating one’s personality (Baumann, 1998, p.55).
DETERMINANTS:SOCIOCULTURAL DETERMINANTS:
Man’s personality can be seen as a combination of the various roles he takes on, and cultural influence largely determines what is considered appropriate behavior. Deviating from this range of appropriateness will result in social pressures. Other factors that impact one’s personality include their family’s socioeconomic status, family size, birth order, ethnic identity, religion, and personal and family education (Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999). Ultimately, different homes provide different experiences that affect one’s personality to some extent. However, individuals will still strive to find their purpose in life in slightly different contexts.
Paraphrased and unified text:
For example, if someone discovers their ability to sing, they may choose to master Hip Hop or Kwaito as a style of performance if they come from a Xhosa upper-class South African family. On the other hand, an English middle-class Italian person might prefer to perform opera. Culture does not impact the search for life purpose, but rather the context in which it is found. As stated by Carl Rogers (1999), our perception and experience of the world in the present moment is the only reality we can truly know. It is this subjective world, not the physical world, that influences behavior. When experiences are given symbolic meaning, they enter our awareness and become part of our individual and subjective reality (referenced in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999).
EXISTENTIAL – HUMANISTIC CONSIDERATIONS:
Humans possess the autonomy to determine their own direction, thus assuming responsibility for their fate and decisions. The emotional state and personal encounters exert a crucial influence on human existence. The quest for life’s purpose captivates individuals. Humans possess the capability to enhance themselves and are encouraged to explore novel lifestyles in order to make superior choices. Each person continuously endeavors to achieve their utmost potential within a challenging world; however, apprehensions about taking risks and existential unease can impede progress. In such instances, individuals refrain from fully realizing their capabilities independently, thereby depriving themselves of the most significant driving force behind their character (quoted in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999).
Victor Frankl (1999) emphasizes that existential frustration arises when the will to meaning is obstructed, revealing the dualistic nature of human beings. To illustrate, an individual who is incarcerated for stealing food due to dire circumstances may never have the opportunity to uncover their genuine life purpose. Consequently, feelings of worthlessness, negativity, and sadness may ensue – all conditions capable of inhibiting one’s self-actualization and freedom of choice (as cited in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999).
COGNITIVE PROCESSES:
The main emphasis is on individuals’ perception and understanding of reality. Individuals receive, retain, transform, and act upon information from their surroundings. According to Hergenhahn and Olson (1999), achieving personal fulfillment relies more on self-regulation of actions rather than external rewards. Carl Rogers (1999) highlighted the significance of positive regard, which includes warmth, love, care, and respect since it leads to the internalization of personal values.
The values we hold shape our self-structure and act as our conscience. Without living by these values, it is impossible to have a positive self-view. The choices and actions we make in response to our environment determine how much we surpass ourselves and find our life purpose. For example, if someone grows up feeling neglected and living on the streets, they may not believe they deserve happiness, leading their conscience to justify participating in unlawful activities. Unfortunately, this hinders the process of self-discovery.
QUESTIONSWHAT IS THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE?:
The significance of the present and future outweighs that of the past. Our decisions and actions possess the ability to profoundly change our lives. Although our past may always have an impact on our destiny, personal choices can shape its importance. Individuals tend to prioritize the future and how the current moment can assist in realizing their aspirations for tomorrow.
According to Victor Frankl (1999), the limited nature of human existence must contribute to human life and the actualization of potential is preserved in the past and shielded from impermanence. However, it is essential to focus on the future for progress. Frankl asserts that today shapes tomorrow, but yesterday will always remain. Being in a situation, such as a refugee camp, with no possessions or place to go, will eventually become part of the past. This does not imply that the individual cannot go on to achieve great success, like becoming a renowned heart surgeon. As the popular saying goes, “the future is within your control”.
WHAT MOTIVATES HUMAN BEHAVIOUR?:
According to Carl Rogers (1999), human behavior is motivated by the impulse to realize one’s own potential, also known as self-actualization. Dealing with the world requires a search for meaning and the reduction of uncertainty. Life choices are influenced by internalized conditions of worth, but the future and present choices can have a greater impact on destiny than the past. Victor Frankl (1999) stated that suffering can be a call to fulfill the deepest meanings in life, and that hopelessness arises when suffering lacks meaning. The finiteness of human life should contribute to it. From the moment of creation, the ticking clock pushes individuals to stand out in a positive regard and align with their destiny.
IS HUMAN BEHAVIOUR FREELY CHOSEN OR IS IT DETERMINED? :
According to Hergenhahn and Olson (1999), accurately predicting a person’s behavior would be impossible if all the influences acting on them were known. This suggests that individuals have free will and control over their own destiny. They make choices that shape their future and ultimately determine their predetermined fate. However, the personal choice to go beyond oneself in order to find meaning in life is the most important factor in human behavior and reaching this destined path. While society and other external factors may influence how one behaves, the ultimate goal of self-fulfillment remains constant. As Carl Rogers (1999) pointed out, happiness is attained by engaging in self-actualization and subjective freedom.
UNIQUENESS VERSUS COMMONALITY:
Every individual is unique because no two people have the same clusters of genes or environmental experiences. However, human beings also share similarities in terms of their brains, sensory apparatus, and culture amongst themselves (quoted in Hergenhahn and Olson, 1999). Despite these commonalities, each person is ultimately different in many ways. Carl Rogers (1999) emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual. According to his Person-centered Theory, the goal is for individuals to become aware of their own uniqueness and to focus on personal growth rather than societal roles. While people work together for the betterment of society, one’s individual uniqueness and ultimate happiness are crucial for both personal fulfillment and contribution to the world. As Victor Frankl (1999) stated, the meaning that individuals assign to work, love, suffering, and death is personal and influences their personality significantly.
HOW ARE THE BODY AND MIND RELATED? :
According to Hergenhahn and Olson (1999), the mind, thoughts, and consciousness can impact a person’s brain, body, and behavior. Interactionism argues that the mind influences the body while the body also affects the mind. Victor Frankl (1999) proposes that humans consist of interconnected dimensions – the body, mind, and psyche – which cannot exist effectively without each other. Although these dimensions may operate at different levels of awareness – conscious, preconscious or unconscious – man cannot fully comprehend his own spirituality thus rendering his spirit unconscious. However, other aspects can enter our consciousness. This conscious truth serves as one’s core essence providing purpose in life and guiding their chosen path towards self-fulfillment or away from it.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF HUMAN NATURE?:
According to Hergenhahn and Olson (1999), humans possess the capacity for decision-making and interpreting life events. The prevailing belief is that humans are fundamentally good, with negative behavior often being a result of cultural or societal influences. Nonetheless, it is crucial to prioritize the significance of life and actively seek out experiences that align with our purpose, allowing us to transcend mere existence. The ability to make choices resides within every individual, and our overall contentment hinges entirely on making suitable and accurate decisions for ourselves.
Man is a social being with a purpose, but each person’s purpose and journey to find it is unique. However, man has the ability to go beyond oneself and seek meaning. Man must search for meaning to understand their unique role in the world.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Anderson, D.M. (2002). Mosby’s Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary. United Kingdom: Mosby Inc.
- Baumann, S.E. (1998). Psychiatry and Primary Health Care. Cape Town: Juta & Co.
- Hergenhahn, B.R., & Olson, M.H. (1999). An Introduction to Theories of Personality.
- United States of America: Prentice HallVan Lennep, C. (2005). A Powerful Wave. Cape Town: Art Publishers.
