Humanistic approach

• What is the humanistic approach.

  Assumption that human beings are self-determining and are active agents who determine our own behaviour.
• What are the three assumptions of the approach?


  Free will, Hierarchy of needs and Self-actualisation, Congruence and Conditions of Worth.
• What is self-actualisation?


  Becoming the best version of yourself and reaching your full potential.
• What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs?

  All four lower levels must be met before self-actualisation can be achieved.
• Where is self-actualisation on Maslow’s hierarchy?

  The highest.
• What are the five categories of Maslow’s Hierarchy?

  1. Self-Actualisation
  2. Esteem
  3. love/belonging
  4. Safety
  5. Physiological
• What is congruence?

  Consistency
• What is the congruence assumption?

  Unhappiness and psychological distress are the outcomes of a psychological gap between the actual-self and ideal self.
• What is the aim of Rogerian therapy?

  Close the gap of incongruence between self concept and ideal self - achieve a balance.
• What is conditions of worth?

  Psychological issues thought to arise from conditions of worth, constraints are put upon by others.
• What did Rogers believe about reaching self-actualisation?

  Taking a person-centred approach counselling would help make positive steps towards self-actualisation. Person should be given unconditional positive regard.
• What are the practical applications of the approach?

  RogerIan Therapy - person centred therapy - discover their own solutions, non judgemental, given unconditional positive regard.
• Why is it not reductionist?


  Reject any attempt to break up behaviour and experience into smaller parts, advocates holism - consider whole person.
• Why is the approach culturally biased?


  Associated with individualist cultures - the west. Ignores values of collectivist cultures - India - on community - is a product of the cultural context.