Unique
One-off, which is not repeated
Free Will
The ability to make your own decision, uninfluenced by other factors
TS Core theory:
The Humanistic Theory of Self (4)
- Each of us have the power to decide on our own actions
- We are all motivated to fulfil our potential to become the best we can be
- If self concept and ideal self are incongruent, an individual will have low self esteem
- UCR helps achieve self actualization
Self-concept
A person’s view of their actual self
Ideal self
The person an individual would like to be
Self-esteem
A measure of how much we value ourselves
Unconditional positive regard
Showing an individual love without expecting certain conditions to be met
Self-actualisation
The idea that each of us has an inborn drive to want to fulfil our potential
The Humanistic theory of Self evaluation (3)
- Many of the ideas are vague and difficult to measure objectively (eg establishing level of self-actualisation)
- It is not a very scientific theory- the ideas are difficult to test and measure because we cannot observe them
- Ignores genetic evidence, which others believe can make up 20-60% of a person’s intellectual, emotional and social development
TS Alternative theory: Trait theory (3)
- We cannot help our personality, as it is just the way we are made
- Our personality is shaped by the activity and arousal parts of our nervous system network
- Personality can be measured on the extroversion scale and neuroticism scale
Van Houtte and Jarvis (1995)
-Procedure: A sample of 130 students from Illinois were separated into those who owned pets and those who didn’t then matched on 3 conditions; 1) marital status of parents, 2) socio-economic status of parents & 3) number of siblings.
Data was collected through 4 point scales measuring: 1) autonomy, 2) self-concept, 3) self-esteem and 4) attachment to animals
-Results: Higher self-esteem in pet owners, higher autonomy in pet owners & 11 year old pet owners have improved self-concept
-Conclusion: pets have their greatest impact on children’s lives as they move through adolescence
Van Houtte and Jarvis (1995) evaluation (3)
- Issues with self-report questionnaires, such as falsifications causing invalidity
- Quantitative data may not be appropriate when dealing with complex emotional issues; reductionist
- Unrepresentative sample (cultural bias, only one age group)
TS Applications of research:
Counselling (2)
Counselling for clients with depression-
- Avoids giving instructions and just shows that they understand what the client is feeling, and so is giving UCR to boost their self-esteem
- Believes that the client has the capability to move forward, showing that they have free will
