Chapter 12 - Humanistic Perspectives

Question 1

origins of humanistic theory

Answer 1

-emerged in the 1950s as a reaction against behaviourism and psychodynamic theories
-critics called those approaches dehumanizing:

-freudian theory: too focused on primitive drives
-behaviourism: overly mechanistic and based on animal research
-both seen as too deterministic, ignoring free will and individuality

Question 2

Humanism (definiton and core assumptions)

Answer 2

*humanism is a theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth.

key assumptions:
(1) people can rise above their primitive animal heritage and control their biological urges.

(2) people are largely conscious and rational beings who are not dominated by unconscious, irrational needs and conflicts.

Question 3

humanists view of subjective experience

Answer 3

-believe that a person’s subjective view of the world is more important than objective reality
e.g., if you think that you’re homely or bright or sociable, this belief will influence your behaviour more than the realities of how homely, bright, or sociable you actually are.
-therefore, humanists embrace the phenomenological approach

Question 4

define phenomenological approach

Answer 4

the phenomenological approach assumes that one has to appreciate individuals’ personal, subjective experiences to truly understand their behaviour.