Humanistic Approach

• Free will is the ability to act at ones own discretion
• Hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory proposed by Maslow, often displayed as a pyramid of needs
• Self actualisation is the complete realization of ones potential, and the full development of ones abilities and appreciation for life
• congruence is the match between the perceived self and the ideal self
• unconditional positive regard is when the love and acceptance given by others is unconditional, the individual is accepted regardless of who they are or what they say or do
• conditions of worth are conditions that significant others put upon the individual and they must achieve these if they are to be accepted or loved
• Assumption 1:


  humans have free will
• assumption 2:

  all individuals are unique and have innate drive to achieve their maximum potential
• assumption 3:

  a proper understanding of human behaviour can only be achieve through studying humans
• assumption 4:


  psychology should study the individual case rather than the average performance of groups
• Hierarchy of needs:


  • physiological (e.g food, water, shelter)
  • safety (e.g health, familiy, employment)
  • loving (e.g friendship, family)
  • self-esteem (e.g confidence, achievement)
  • self-actualization (e.g morality, creativity)
• if the gap between the ideal self and self concept is too big a state of incongruence will be experienced and self actualisation is not possible.
• Client centered therapy:


  • a parent who places conditions of worth on their child is creating future psychological problems
  • therapists should provide clients with unconditional positive regard to help resolve conditions of worth and guide clients towards self actualisation
• Evaluation 1:


  research support for conditions of worth, psychological issues arise because of conditions of worth
• Evaluation 2:


  • conditions of worth may not be the cause of psychological problems
  • this contradicts what the humanistic approach would suggest is cause for depression
• Evaluation 3:

  • rejects science
  • there is a scientific evidence for self actualisation and conditions of worth with most studies
• Evaluation 4:

  • humanistic approach has limited practical applications
  • client centered therapy has revolutionized counselling and Maslows hierarchy of needs has been used to explain motivation, particularly in the workplace