Humanistic Approach

• Assumptions- people are unique and we cannot generalise the subjective experience of one human to another

  People have free will

  People are motivated to self-actualise

  Scientific Methodology has little value in investigating human behaviour
• Maslow believes humans are motivated by needs beyond those of basic biological survival. Human nature to desire and grow to achieve our full potential “ Self Actualisation “ Self actualisation can only be met when all other needs are met and they will feel unfulfilled
• Maslows Hierarchy of Needs-

  1. Self Actualisation (full potential )
  2. Esteem
  3. Love and Belonging
  4. Safety
  5. Physiological
• Rogers ideas centre on the self and believed people could only fulfil their potential for growth if they have a positive view of themselves through positive self regard.

  Positive self regard can only occur if you have unconditional positive regard from people you have respect and love for.
• If people do not get unconditional positive regard and only conditional positive regard they start to form conditions of worth believing they will only be loved if they complete a certain criteria.
• Conditions of worth create incongruity within the self meaning the real self does not match the ideal self.
• Counselling Psychology- Provided several approaches to counselling and therapy like. people centred counselling giving unconditional positive regard.

  Humanistic therapy encourages patients to close the gap between their ideal and real self with more realistic and achievable processes.
• Strengths- Free Will, rather than assuming humans are driven by external forces, it assumes we have free will meaning everyone has the ability to change for the better

  Holistic- rejects the idea of individuality and that we can break complex behaviours down instead people are viewed individually
• Weaknesses- Unscientific as the approach is abstract and untestable and Cultural Bias as collectivist cultures may find it self indulgent therefore cannot cross cultures
• Garter et al found that teenagers who feel they have to fulfil certain conditions to gain their parent’s approval will end up not liking themselves and are more likely to become depressed.
• Paul found that people with strong work ethic and value being employed become more depressed when they are unemployed due to incongruence
• unconditional positive regard is to grow a positive self image meaning we will feel loved and accepted without any conditions
• client centred therapy aims to help fix the gap between real image and ideal self and therapists have to provide unconditional positive self regard, be empathetic and genuine and set realistic goals
• Congruence is when the self image and ideal self is similar leading to better mental health