humanistic approach

Question 1

what is the humanistic approach

Answer 1

an approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises he importance of subjective experience and each person’s capacity for self-determination

Question 2

what is free will

Answer 2

the notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological or external forces

Question 3

self actualisation

Answer 3

the desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one’s full potential by becoming what you are capable of

Question 4

Hierarchy of needs

Answer 4

a 5 levelled hierarchal sequence in which basic physiological needs must be satisfied before higher psychological needs can be achieved

Question 5

self

Answer 5

the ideas and values that characterise ‘I’ and includes perception and valuing of ‘what i am’ and ‘what i can do’

Question 6

congruence

Answer 6

the match between the perceived self (how you see yourself) and the ideal self (the self you would like to be)

Question 7

conditions of worth

Answer 7

when a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children

Question 8

assumptions of humanistic approach

Answer 8

• emphasises importance of subjective experiences
• Rogers and Maslow reject scientific models
• person-centred approach
• humans have free will
• we are still affected by external and internal forces but we are active agents who can determine our own development
• focuses on how everyone is unique and good
• everyone has an innate tendency to fulfil their potential and become what they are capable of (self-actualisation)
• emphasises importance of personal growth

Question 9

Maslow’s hierarchy of psychological needs order

Answer 9

physiological needs
safety and security needs
belonging and love needs
esteem needs
cognitive needs
aesthetic needs
self-actualisation

Question 10

Roger’s idea

Answer 10

for personal growth to be achieved, an individual’s concept of self (the way they see themselves) must be broadly equivalent to, or have congruence with, their ideal self (the person they want to be)

Question 11

according to Rogers, when would self-actualisation not happen

Answer 11

if too big of a gap exists between the 2 selves, the person will experience a state of incongruence and negative feelings of self worth

Question 12

what can you do to reduce the gap between self and ideal self

Answer 12

• develop a more healthy view of yourself
• have a more achievable/realistic ideal self

Question 13

Roger’s ideas of childhood events

Answer 13

• many of the issues we experience as adults (e.g. worthlessness) have their roots in childhood and can be explained by lack of unconditional positive regard from our parents
• parents expressing conditions of worth is storing up psychological problems for that child in the future
• conditions of worth is withholding of positive regard

Question 14

Rogers’ client centred therapy

Answer 14

• he provided his clients with the unconditional positive regard that they failed to receive as children
• the therapy is non-directive
• the client is seen as in control of their own situation and is encouraged to discover their own solutions
• focuses on present problems rather than dwells on the past
• best applied for treatment of mild psychological conditions e.g. anxiety and low self-worth