Question

Studying Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories.

Question: What are the strengths and limitations of existential theories that affect individual personalities.

Answer 1

Existential theory has been put forward by May and its explanation of personality has got their strengths as well as limitations. Some of the strengths of this theory are listed below:

• The main strength of the humanistic-existential model of psychology is it’s optimistic, instead of focusing on what is wrong with people.
• It focuses on people’s potential to become great.
• Its focus is on what the healthiest and the happiest people do and what others should do to get there.
• It also emphasizes individuality and autonomy. Patients are encouraged to focus on their decisions, and great stress is given to free will. Therapists reinforce their patients' ability to choose and act according to their own internal compass.
• There's also a strong emphasis on the individual's own experiences and viewpoint.

Limitations:

• It is based on philosphical concepts that are abstract.
• It is not empirical in nature.
• It is non-scinetific and very hard to validate with science.