humanistic approach

• Humanistic psychology: free will, self-actualisation and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, focus on the self, congruence, the role of conditions of worth. The influence on counselling psychology.
• The humanistic approach differs to other approaches in that it focuses on conscious experience and personal responsibility.  A human need to strive towards personal growth is seen as important.
• Free will: This is the suggestion that we are free to choose our thoughts and behaviours.  Free will acknowledges that we are influenced by biological and environmental factors, but that we can reject these influences and create our own pathway.

  Humanistic psychologists reject scientific models that attempt to establish general principles of human behaviour.  Humanists believe that as active agents we are all unique, and psychology should concern itself with the study of subjective experience rather than general laws. This is often referred to as the person-centred approach in psychology.
• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and self-actualisation:

  • Maslow argued that human needs exist in a hierarchy, with basic needs at the bottom and higher order needs at the top.  Self-actualisation is the highest level of our needs, however to reach this the individual needs to have met the four levels below.  An individual can only move to the next level when the lower level has been met.  Self-actualisation involves becoming all that we are capable of and can be achieved in many ways for example through work, sport or artistic achievement.  Not everyone can achieve can achieve self-actualisation.
• Focus on the self, congruence, the role of conditions of worth

  • Rogers argued that for personal growth to occur, the individual’s concept of self needs to match with their ideal self.
  • Focus on the self: Each of us develops a sense of self during childhood; this is formed as a result of interactions with parents.  Our sense of self refers to a model of who we are and what we are capable of.  Our sense of includes our self-esteem.  Self-esteem is how good we feel about ourselves.
• Congruence:  If there is a similarity between a person’s ideal self and how they perceive themselves to be in real life, a state of congruence exists.

  However, if there is a difference between the self and ideal self, the person experiences a state of incongruence.  Most people experience some degree of incongruence.
• The role of conditions of worth:  The love and affection others give can either be unconditional or conditional.
• Unconditional positive regard refers to when a person is accepted for who they are or what they do.
• Conditional positive regard is when a person is only accepted if they do what others want them to do. 
• conditional positive

  - When people experience conditional positive regard, they develop conditions of worth.  These are the conditions that they perceive significant others put upon them, which have to be in place if they are to be accepted.  A parent who sets boundaries or limits on their love (conditions of worth) by claiming or suggesting ‘I will only love you if…’, is storing up psychological issues for the child in the future.
• In client-centred therapy, who is considered the expert of their condition?

  The individual receiving therapy
• According to Rogers (1959), what causes an individual's problems?

  Conditions of worth placed on them by others
• What is the nature of therapy in client-centred therapy?

  It is non-directive
• What is encouraged for the client in client-centred therapy?

  To work towards their own solutions
• What type of atmosphere is necessary for effective client-centred therapy?

  A supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere
• What qualities must a therapist provide in client-centred therapy?

  Genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard
• What is the primary aim of client-centred therapy?

  To increase the person’s feelings of self-worth
• What does client-centred therapy aim to reduce?

  The level of incongruence between self-concept and ideal self
• What does it mean for a client to become more fully functioning?

  To achieve a greater alignment between their self-concept and ideal self
• What are the key components of client-centred therapy according to Rogers?

  • Individual's problems arise from conditions of worth
  • Individual is the expert of their condition
  • Non-directive therapy
  • Supportive and non-judgemental atmosphere
  • Therapist provides genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard
  • Aims to increase self-worth and reduce incongruence
  • Helps the client become more fully functioning
• What is one positive aspect of the humanistic approach?

  It has empirical evidence to support its view of behavior.
• What did Harter et al (1996) find regarding teenagers and parental approval?

  Teenagers who feel they must fulfill conditions for parental approval often dislike themselves.
• How does the concept of 'false self' relate to the humanistic approach?

  Creating a 'false self' to meet parental expectations can lead to depression.
• What do conditions of worth set by parents influence according to the humanistic approach?

  They influence the development of self and can lead to negative effects on behavior.
• If a teenager feels they must act a certain way to gain approval, what might be a potential psychological outcome?

  They may experience depression due to incongruence in self-perception.
• What is a strength of the humanistic approach?

  It takes a holistic view of behavior and development.
• How does the humanistic approach view individuals?

  It views each person as an individual with unique experiences.
• How does the humanistic approach differ from the biological approach?

  The humanistic approach does not break behavior down into smaller components like the biological approach does.
• What treatment programs can be implemented for someone with depression according to the humanistic approach?

  Programs that combine drug therapy with talking therapies.
• Why is holistic treatment considered more likely to be effective?

  Because it incorporates ideas from multiple approaches.
• What are the key characteristics of the humanistic approach?

  • Holistic view of behavior
  • Focus on individual experiences
  • Does not reduce behavior to smaller components
  • Incorporates multiple treatment methods
• What is a limitation of the humanistic approach?

  There is very little real-world application.
• How has Rogerian therapy contributed to the field of counseling?


  It has revolutionized counseling techniques.
• What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs used to explain?

  It is used to explain motivation in the workplace.
• How is the humanistic approach often perceived in comparison to other psychological approaches?

  It is perceived as a loose set of abstract concepts.
• Why might humanistic psychology have limited impact beyond specialist areas?

  It lacks a sound evidence-base and is seen as abstract.
• Which approach is suggested to have practical applications compared to the humanistic approach?

  The cognitive approach.
• What is CBT an example of?

  It is an example of a practical application of the cognitive approach.
• In what context has the humanistic approach shown effectiveness?

  In specialized areas like counseling and motivation.
• What are the main limitations of the humanistic approach?

  • Limited real-world application
  • Lack of sound evidence-base
  • Perceived as abstract concepts
  • Less effective compared to cognitive approaches