Humanistic approach Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is the humanistic approach?
-approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each person’s capacity for self-determination
-emphasises free will
What are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualization
What are deficiency needs and what are growth needs
-growth need: self-actualization
-deficiency need: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem
What did Carl Rogers suggest?
-for personal growth a person’s concept of self must be in congruence with their ideal self and if there is too large a gap they won’t be able to achieve self actualisation
-That problems in adulthood stem from childhood due to harsh conditions of love.
What was client-centred therapy?
-aka counselling
-to reduce the gap between self and ideal self
-issues as adults stem from childhood and explained through unconditional positive regard such as conditions of worth- therapist needs to give this positive regard to make up for childhood
What are the strengths of the Humanisitic approach
-Not reductionist: holistic approach of the subjective experience only understood by considering the whole person. This may be more valid than other approaches as behavior is being understood holistically in real life situations.
However, one benefit of reductionism is that behaviour can be studied scientifically as behaviours are reduced to IVs and DVs. Therefore one issue with the humanistic approach is behaviour cannot be broken down into simple behaviours - lacks empirical evidence.
-positive approach: promotes a positive image of the human mind and differs from Freud’s idea that everyone as prisoners of their past. Humanistic psychologists see all people as good and are trying to achieve their potential which is in their control. Therefore humanistic approach offers an optimistic and refreshing approach.
What are the weaknesses of the humanistic approach?
-Cultural bias: autonomy, freedom and personal growth more associated in Individualist tendencies where as collectivist countries would focus more heavily on interdependence which means humanistic approach may not be as important. Therefore, humanistic approach may not apply universally and is a product of the context which it was created in.
