The Humanistic approach

• 3 main assumptions

  1. Free Will: Humans have the ability to make their own choices and are not determined by biological or external factors.

  2. Self-Actualization: People are motivated to achieve their full potential and personal growth, striving to become the best version of themselves.

  3. Positive Regard: Healthy development requires unconditional positive regard—acceptance and love without conditions, particularly from parents and significant others.
• define "self"


  a term to describe all the ideas and values we have about ourselves, including perceptions of our abilities
• define "ideal self"


  our perception of the best version of ourselves
• what is "incongruence"


  when the gap between our self an ideal self is too big.

  leads to feelings of low self-esteem and low self-worth which prevents of from progressing through Maslow's hierarchy of needs

  
• what is congruence


  when there is little or no gap between self and ideal self, we have achieved congruence, we can then progress through the hierarchy to aim to achieve self actualisation .

  
• what is self actualisation

  the innate desire to become the best version of ourselves , through personal and psychological growth.

  
• what therapy was developed in this approach

  ROGERIAN THERAPY.

  aims to reduce the gap between self and ideal self, increasing the likelihood of achieving self congruence and then self-actualization.
• according to Rogers and Maslow, how does low selfesteem and worth originate?

  childhood, when parents restrict the love they show to their kids bay imposing conditions of worth.

  saying things like "ill only love you if you become a doctor" which LACKS unconditional positive regard.
• what is a good therapist in rogerian therapy

  someone who is genuine, open and empathetic and will provide the unconditional positive regard an individual lacked in their childhood .

  important to remember that they believe that patients are "experts" of their conditions and have to arrive to their own conclusions, only with the help of a therapist.
• describe free will in this approach

  we all have free will and are the masters and mistresses of our own development so we can ignore influence of internal and external factors on our behaviour.
• first level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

  Physiological Needs: These are basic survival needs, such as food, water, sleep, and shelter. If these needs are not met, other needs cannot be pursued.
• What is the second level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

  Safety Needs: This includes the need for security, stability, and protection from harm (e.g., physical safety, job security, health).
• What is the third level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

  Love and Belonging: The need for social connections, relationships, love, and a sense of belonging in family, friendships, and communities.
• What is the fourth level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

  Esteem Needs: The need for self-esteem, respect from others, achievement, recognition, and a sense of competence and confidence.
• What is the fifth level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

  Self-Actualization: The highest level, where individuals strive to reach their full potential, creativity, personal growth, and fulfillment of their unique capabilities.
• What is a strength of the humanistic approach regarding holistic understanding? (AO3 +)

  The humanistic approach is holistic, focusing on the whole person rather than just specific behaviors or parts of personality. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of human experience, emphasizing the complexity of individuals.
• How does the humanistic approach contribute to positive psychology? (AO3 +)

  The humanistic approach has had a significant impact on positive psychology, focusing on personal growth, well-being, and self-actualization. This emphasis on the positive aspects of human experience helps improve mental health and self-esteem.
• What is a strength of the humanistic approach in terms of application to therapy? (A03 +)

  The humanistic approach is applied in person-centered therapy, which helps individuals achieve self-acceptance and personal growth through unconditional positive regard and empathy, leading to positive outcomes in therapy.
• What is a limitation of the humanistic approach in terms of scientific evidence? (AO3 - )

  The humanistic approach lacks empirical evidence and scientific rigor, making it difficult to test or measure key concepts like self-actualization. This limits its credibility and application in more scientific fields of psychology.
• What is a limitation of the humanistic approach regarding cultural bias? (AO3 - )

  The humanistic approach is often seen as ethnocentric, emphasizing individualism and personal growth, which may not be applicable in collectivist cultures that prioritize community and family over individual achievement.
• What is a limitation of the humanistic approach regarding its idealism? (AO3 - )

  The humanistic approach is criticized for being too idealistic, focusing on the assumption that all individuals are inherently good and motivated by growth. This view may ignore the complexities of human behavior and darker aspects of human nature, such as aggression.