APPROACHES: Humanistic psychology

Question 1

origins of humanistic approach.

Answer 1

Developed in the early 50s US. It was termed the ‘third force’ since it aimed to replace the two main existing approaches- psychodynamics and behaviourism. Humanism was intended to offer a less deterministic and artificial approach
Humanistic theories are concerned with human experiences, uniqueness, meaning, freedom and choice. Rogers felt that Freud had dealt with the ‘sick half’ of psychology, so the humanistic approach concerned itself with explanations of ‘healthy’ growth in individuals.

Question 2

what is humanistic psychology?

Answer 2

An approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each persons capacity for self determination.

Question 3

what is free will?

Answer 3

The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological and external forces.

Question 4

what is self actualisation?

Answer 4

The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one’s full potential - becoming what you are capable of.
Self-actualisation represents the uppermost level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs where all 4 lower levels of the hierarchy (deficiency needs) must be met. As to self-actualise an individual fulfils their potential.

Not everyone will manage this, however, and the other levels may act as psychological barriers that may prevent a person from reaching their potential.

Question 5

what is Maslows hierarchy of needs?

Answer 5

5 levelled hierarchical sequence in which basic physiological needs must be satisfied before higher psychological needs can be acheived.

Question 6

what is the 1st stage of Maslows hierarchy?

Answer 6

physiological needs - food,water,warmth,rest

Question 7

what is the 2nd stage of Maslows hierarchy?

Answer 7

Safety and Security needs

Question 8

what is the 3rd stage of Maslows hierarchy?

Answer 8

Belongingness and love needs -intimate relationships, friends

Question 9

what is the 4th stage of Maslows hierarchy?

Answer 9

Self esteem - prestige and feeling of accomplishment

Question 10

what is the 5th stage of Maslows hierarchy?

Answer 10

Self actualisation - achieving ones full potential , including creative activities.

Question 11

What are the conditions of worth?

Answer 11

The conditions we think we must meet in order for other people to accept us as worthy of their love or positive regard.

Question 12

what is congruence?

Answer 12

The aim of Rogerian therapy, when the self-concept and ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match.

Question 13

what is incongruence?

Answer 13

The differencein level between one’s ideal self and one’s actual self.

This can be caused by defence mechanisms making someone more alienated or reduced self-esteem.

Question 14

what is Rogers client-centred therapy?

Answer 14

therapy that aims to reduce the gap between the self concept (the way they see themselves) and the ideal self ( the person they want to be)CCT relates to conditions of worth in that it recognises that a parent who sets boundaries or limits on their love for their child is storing up psychological problems for that child in the future.

An effective therapist is able to provide clients with unconditional positive regard they were unable to receive as a child.

Question 15

How does rogers theory affect child care?

Answer 15

Humans have a need to be nurtured by important figures such as parents. Children who receive negative regard (citicism and blame) may develop low self-esteem. So the parent should blame the behaviour, not the child to prevent damage to conditions of worth.

Question 16

what are the STRENGTHS of the humanistic approach?

Answer 16

+ Not reductionist : rejects attempts to break up behaviour into smaller components.Advocates holism (considers the whole person) which makes it more valid.

+ Positive approach: praised for bringing the person back to psychology and promoting a positive image of the human condition.

+ revolutionised counselling techniques and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs had been used to explain motivation particularly in the workplace

+ Application- Major influence on psychological counselling. For example, many contemporary therapists use Rogers’ ideas of unconditional positive regard to help clients work toward self-awareness. This therapy has helped many people overcome difficulties they face in life, which is a significant contribution to improving people’s quality of life, demonstrating high levels of application from the approach.

Question 17

what are the LIMITATIONS of humanistic approach?

Answer 17

• reductionist approaches may be more scientific.This is because the ideal of science is the experiment and experiments reduce behaviour to independant and dependant variables. Unlike the behaviourist approach there are relatively few concepts that can be broken down to single variables and measured.
• ## Humanistic psychology is short on empirical (observed) evidence to support its claims.

-cultural bias : much more appropriate in individualistic society rather than collectivist. individual freedom, autonomy and personal growth are more readily associated with cultures in the western world.

• Limited application - little real world application and limited impact compared to other approaches. Loose set of abstract ideas.