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THE HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY OF CHARLOTTE BUHLER
Her theory of life goals emphasizes the end goal of personal fulfillment, which is achieved through valid life goals that are organized according toindividuals' gifts. People may "differ in choice of goals and way of life, but are alike in sharing goal orientations that do not tend toward quiescence, that generally elect growth over maintenance"(Gavin, 1990, p. 53).
She defined four basic human tendencies and a core self. These tendencies include:
1. The tendency to strive for personal satisfactions in sex, love, and ego recognition
2.The tendency toward self-limiting adaptation for the purpose of fitting in, belonging, and gaining security
3. The tendency toward self-expression and creative accomplishments
4. The tendencytoward integration or order-upholding (Buhler, 1972, p. 48).
Although she acknowledged that fulfillment of these would not come without frustration and struggle (Buhler, 1972), she maintained thattheir "implicit ultimate intent is self-development, the establishment of contacts, the mastering of reality, and the fulfillment of life through an integrated actualization of the individual'spotentials" (Buhler & Marschak, 1968, p. 93).
Eileen Gavin (1990) provides a succinct description of Buhler's concept of core self, as the "subconscious core system that integrates, directs, and actualizesthe four basic tendencies; the self is the source of unique personality patterns," as each person adapts and strives toward tendencies in a unique manner (p. 53).
She explained that personalfulfillment results from living constructively and thoughtful in ways consistent with person's best gifts, living constructively involves profiting even from misfortune, and creative use of one's potential,aided by periodic assessment of the life course allowing person to progress toward achieving responsible, personally elected goals. Charlotte applied this theoretical conception to the clinical...