Reading Assignment No.

7
Theories of Personality (TTh 8:30-10:00 AM)
By: Danielle Kate M. Fontamillas

1. Explain the five (5) common elements of Existentialism

a. Existence takes precedence over essence - we discover and understand one's importance
when it is existing as existence suggests process and essence refers to the result or
product of something.
b. Existentialism opposes the split between subject and object - we are both objective and
subjective by nature in terms of viewing and understanding our surroundings. It's a
mixture of both reason and emotions which makes humanity more balance and
inquisitive.
c. People search for meaning - it's a constant quest of understanding the whys and how’s
of life - of one's existence and purpose.
d. Existentialism holds us ultimately responsible for who we are and what we become - we
determine our future and our course of actions. The environment does not dictate our
reactions, rather, it is a choice we constantly make.
e. Existentialism are antitheoretical - we do not objectify humans as theories dehumanize
one's identity and experiences. Authentic experiences take precedence over artificial
explanations.
2. What are the two basic concepts of existentialism? Define each.

• Being-in-the-World: it is the basic unity of person and environment - to exist in the

world. Thus, people experience three simultaneous modes in their being-in-the-world:
▪ Umwelt: the environment around us
▪ Mitwelt: our relations with other people
▪ Eigenwelt: our relationship with our self
• Nonbeing - the dread of not being or nothingness. When we lack the purpose to life and
dread death more than life.

3. How would May's theory describe a healthy personality?

Healthy people live in Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eigenwelt simultaneously. They adapt to the natural
world, relate to others as humans, and have a keen awareness of what all these experiences mean
to them. Moreover, a healthier alternative of non-being is to face the inevitability of death and to
realize that nonbeing is an inseparable part of being. Healthy individuals are both to assume their
freedom and to face their destiny.

4. Read the case of Philip. Explain the anxiety that Philip experiences.

Philip was suffering from neurotic anxiety. He behaved in a nonproductive, self-defeating manner.
He became paralyzed with inaction and could not break of his relationship with Nicole despite
 him being deeply hurt with the woman's actions. Moreover, Nicole's action engendered Philip's
sense of duty toward her - he felt obligated to take care of her. Due to his early childhood with
his sister and mother, he learned that he had to attach himself to women while rescuing them
from their troubles. His neurotic anxiety blocked any new and successful ways toward his future
relationships.

5. Describe the following concepts and how it relates to personality development according to
May's theory?

• Guilt - guilt arises when people deny their potentialities, fail to accurately perceive the
needs of fellow human being, or remain oblivious to their dependence on the natural
world. Both anxiety and guilt refer to the nature of being and not to feelings arising
from specific situations or transgressions.
• Intentionality - it is the structure that gives meaning to experience and to make
decisions about the future. Without intentionality, people could neither choose nor act
in their choice. They would be controlled by the circumstance and will not be able to
fully express what they ought to aspire as actions inseparably implies intentions.
• Care, Love, and Will - these three are the foundation of our journey towards our goal.
Care gives comfort and assurance that something or someone does matter; Love affirms
the assurance of one's value and development as much as one's worth; Will capacitates
organization so the fluidity of the direction and growth would intertwine and take place.
• Freedom and Destiny - when we acknowledge our goal, which May coined as destiny, we
acquire freedom and the likelihood to exercise our choices towards the assumed
direction we wish to partake. It is to take responsibility for our decisions and
understanding how our destiny can be interchanging depending on the choices we
make.

6. Choose which concept/s you could relate the most and explain.

The concept to which I could most readily relate is May's elaborate consideration of freedom and
identity. He argues that freedom and destiny go hand in hand, as it enables us to soar beyond the
boundaries of life toward our ultimate objective. I can most relate to the fact that we all have the
ability to alter our destinies, but we must first recognize our biological, social, and psychological
limitations. Upon realization, we can accept the fact that we are indeed deficient and imperfect,
which provides us with a tremendous boost of motivation to either choose to be better or worse.
Our decisions determine our destinies, and as we attain our destinies, we gain freedom from
whatever is preventing us from reaching our own happiness potential.