Wired for Who We Are
Unmasking the Biological Secrets Behind Our Personalities.
Before we begin
We all contemplate the reasons behind our actions, but the most empowering insight occurs when we see ourselves as capable of growth. While our biology, learning, and early experiences play a role, the humanistic perspective illuminates that we are not problems to be fixed, but incredible potential waiting to be realized. We will explore four significant theories—Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Behavioral, and Biological—emphasizing Humanistic psychology as the most practical compass for living and leading with purpose.
Psychodynamic Theory
Psychodynamic models propose that unconscious thoughts, desires, and memories, which are inaccessible to conscious awareness, still primarily influence human behavior (Opland, 2024). What falls under this theory usually includes things like dreams, the unconscious mind, our ego, and aspects that are yet to be understood.
Humanistic Theory
Humanistic theory focuses on personal growth, free will, and the innate drive toward self-actualization. It is a type of talk therapy that emphasizes the individual’s peculiarities rather than assuming that groups of people with similar characteristics share similar concerns. This treats each individual as a whole and not just the symptoms. It also focuses on the aspirations of individuals, their goals, desires, fears, potential, and the actualizing of personal growth (Humanistic psychology 2025)
Behavioral Theory
A central principle of behaviorist theorists is that knowledge of a behavior can only be acquired through observation and that there is nothing mysterious about it because it interacts with the environment. It focuses on how behaviors are learned and reinforced in response to stimuli, essentially excluding internal mental states (Rachlin et al., 2010).
Biological Theory
Biological theory suggests how the brain system and neurotransmitters influence character, temperament, emotion, and attention. It is only possible that they eventually become a prologue for systematic investigation of biological influences on development. Twin and family studies indicate that traits are moderately heritable, highlighting a biological foundation (Berk, 2022). This helps us understand why some patterns endure. The humanistic wisdom is that biology may suggest starting conditions rather than an endpoint. With awareness and encouragement, individuals’ growth is still a choice.
Let’s talk about humanistic theory
Humanistic theory is a movement in the field of psychology that supports the belief that humans, as unique individuals, are inherently good and motivated to reach their fullest potential. This movement emerged from the desire to see a more positive and hopeful view of human beings compared to traditional approaches like psychoanalysis or behaviorism. This perspective holds an optimistic view of human nature, suggesting that we are born good, but sometimes our life experiences shape us into the person that we become. The approach highlights each person’s unique worth, the importance of human values, and the creative, active spirit within us all. It is a hopeful perspective that emphasizes our noble capacity to overcome difficulties, pain, and despair.
Humanistic psychology, developed by Maslow and Rogers, focuses on individual potential, self-growth, and personally meaningful experiences. Maslow, one of the most prominent figures in humanistic psychology, suggested a structured approach to human motivation, starting from physiological needs and progressing to safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. This is also called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Carl Rogers expanded on Maslow’s ideas and emphasized the role of the self in personality development. He proposed that people perceive the world subjectively, with self-actualization, self-maintenance, and self-improvement shaping behavior. Both Maslow and Rogers advocate viewing individuals as whole, self-directing organisms motivated by an innate drive toward growth and fulfillment (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.).
The core principles
Wholeness
Humanistic psychology sees people as more than the sum of parts (traits or behaviors). It emphasizes the integrated, unified experience of being human (Bland & Derobertis, 2017).
Conscious experience & subjective perspective
Subjective experience—how a person perceives their world—matters most. Therapists aim to understand that unique viewpoint rather than impose external models.
Free will, choice, and responsibility
Humanistic thinkers believe people have agency to make choices and take responsibility for their growth and direction.
Actualizing tendency
Individuals have an innate drive or “actualizing tendency” to fulfill potential, grow, and become more authentic.
Relational Climate
In therapeutic and interpersonal contexts, acceptance, empathy, and a nonjudgmental stance help people open up and grow.
Living the Humanistic Perspective
Among these perspectives, Humanistic psychology resonates most because it honors both agency and dignity. In life and work, using a humanistic lens to lead creative teams and make decisions that align with values rather than ego or habit. Begin by clarifying core needs (Maslow), then create conditions for growth (Rogers): psychological safety, honest feedback, and goals that reflect the person’s own definition of success. When setbacks happen, practice empathy first—What was the person trying to achieve? Was there a need that was not met?—then co-design realistic next steps.
How do I apply these principles?
Creative leadership: starting meetings with a quick check-in question (“What do you need to do your best work today?”) to meet belonging/esteem needs. Output consistently improves because people feel seen.
Coaching and life design: Clients define a north star (self-actualization) and we reverse-engineer weekly commitments that are both values-aligned and doable. Progress accelerates when goals reflect the person’s lived context.
Feedback culture: Paring radical candor with unconditional positive regard—behavior is coached, worth is never in question. This process will smooth the edges by reducing emotional strain to curb defensiveness, eventually allowing one to grow.
A Personal Reflection
Over time, I’ve learned that applying humanistic psychology isn’t just about theory—it’s about practice. When I began focusing on my own hierarchy of needs, I noticed that growth started with awareness. Meeting basic needs gave me the stability to pursue creative projects, while fostering a sense of belonging at work helped me lead with empathy. The more I practiced acceptance toward myself and others, the more authentic my relationships became. Humanistic psychology taught me that personal transformation begins not with changing who we are, but with understanding and embracing it.
Conclusion
In essence, humanistic psychology stands out as a hopeful, evidence-based perspective on personal growth and fulfillment, focusing on recognizing and meeting fundamental needs such as love, safety, belonging, and self-actualization. It promotes respecting and valuing personal experience, relying on one’s inner voice, and living according to one’s values. Creating a compassionate environment—whether at home, in the workplace, or within—is important not just because it enhances performance and productivity but because it brings a stronger sense of authenticity and wholeness. The simple yet strong call to action is to choose one need, one value, and one step forward, then to practice them with kindness, patience, and persistence. Consistent, small, and meaningful actions help incubate growth and resilience. This puts possibility into real-life, on-the-ground, fulfilling lives of connection, self-awareness, and purpose, propelling us to our most significant potential and a kinder world.
References
McLeod, S. (2024, February 15). Humanistic approach in psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/humanistic.html Opland, C. (2024, September 2). Psychodynamic therapy. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606117/ Humanistic psychology. The Michigan School of Psychology (MSP). (2025, October 6). https://msp.edu/about/explore-msp/humanistic-psychology/ Rachlin, H., Battalio, R., Kagel, J., & Green, L. (2010, February 4). Maximization theory in behavioral psychology: Behavioral and brain sciences. Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/abs/maximization-theory-in-behavioral-psychology/2C110810C1C2523C60AF9A6B22944E68Berk, L. E. (2022-06-24). Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 9th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf 10.5.3]. Retrieved from vbk://9781071895085Bland, A. m, & Derobertis, E. M. (2017, March 1). (PDF) The Humanistic Perspective in Psychology. The Humanistic Perspective in Psychology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315761695_The_Humanistic_Perspective_in_Psychology