humanistic approach

• The humanistic approach is concerned with how individuals perceive themselves and others around them
• humanistic 


  concerns itself with explanations of healthy personal growth in individuals concerns itself with explanations of healthy personal growth in individuals

  • called 'third force'
  • less deterministic and artificial
  • placed little value on scientific psychology
• concept of free will 


  • focuses on subjective experience
  • unique person-centred approach
  • responsibility for our own behaviour not determined by biological or external forces
• rogers client centred therapy 


  • lasting influence on counselling
  • focuses on clients needs and experiences
  • can explore their feelings in a safe and supportive environment
• focus on the self 


  • 'self' refers to the ideas ams values that characterise 'I' and 'me'
  • our perception of what we are
  • feelings are subjective
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs 


  1. physiological (food, water, breathing)
  2. safety (health, employment)
  3. love and belonging (sex, friends, family)
  4. esteem (confidence, respect of others)
  5. self-actualisation (psychological growth, fulfilment and satisfaction)
• personal growth


  developing and changing as a person to become a better version
• self actualisation


  an innate tendency to want to achieve our full potential

  • motivated by things beyond biological survival
• self-concept 


  how we perceive ourselves as a person
• self-worth


  what we think and feel about ourselves

  Roger believed developed in early childhood through interaction with mum and dad
• self-image 


  • how we see ourselves
  • influence of our body image on inner-personality
  • beauty or ugly
  • effects how we think, feel and behave
• ideal self


  • the person who we would like to be
  • consists of our goals and ambitions
  • dynamic (forever changing)
• congruence 


  • ideal self and actual experience align or are very similar
  • rarely does a total state of congruence exist
• incongruence

  • a persons self-concept is not consistent with what actually happens in life
• individual strive

  • achieve ideal self
  • motivated towards self-improvemnt
• unconditional positive regard 


  • the acceptance and support of a person regardless of what you say or do

  e.g in therapy offers non-judgmental environment and accepting attitude, facilitate client make them feel accepted
• conditions of worth 


  • children receive negative regard
  • criticism or blame
  • develops low self-esteem
  • constraints put on by significant others that they deem necessary to gain pr

  e.g we will only love you if you get an A grade
• evaluation: use of free will and holism

  • emphasis of free will in the approach can be viewed as a strength as it promotes the idea that individuals have control over their actions and choices
  • this focus on personal agency means people are capable of shaping their lives, aligning with real life
  • therefore, feels relating and empowering/ positive, especially in therapy (encouraged to take responsibility for growth)
  • however, this could overlook determinist influences which could limit the approaches relevance
• evaluation: lack of cultural differences

  • this approach is largely based on western ideals of individualism and personal growth
  • these concepts may not resonate as strongly with collectivist cultures, where the focus is more on group harmony and interdependence
  • Therefore, due to this cultural bias, would be opposed to Eastern collectivist cultures, where such a desire for personal growth may be seen as selfish considering that the needs of the group are greater than that of the individuals.
  • effectiveness may be limited outside of its cultural context
• evaluation: optimistic

  • refreshingly positive views of personal growth, self-fulfilment and inherent goodness of others
  • contrast other determinist approaches, the positive focus encourages individuals to foster a sense of hope
  • therefore, the emphasis on self-worth and authenticity make the approach highly relevant for improving self-esteem especially in client centred therapies