Humanistic Approach

• Key assumptions

  -Humans are autonomous and self-directing (have free will) to make independent choices, behaviour is under full conscious control.

  -Humans are innately good

  -Humans have an innate drive to self actualise.

  -Scientific method is not appropriate, humanism advocates subjectivity, holism and free will.

  -Humans are able to resolve their won conflicts under the right conditions.
• Free will 


  -Concept of free will is central to the humanistic approach.

  -behavioural and psychodynamic approach advocates determinism.

  -Humanism argues that people are autonomous, active beings who have full conscious control over their behaviours.

  -Humans are self-directing and self-governing.

  -They acknowledge social, biological but individual has enough flexibility to ensure they make independent choices.
• Conditions of worth


  -Subjective perception that there is a criteria which needs to be met in order to have self-worth from others. Perception of boundaries we must manage to be loved and valued by others.

  -Conditional positive regard is where positive regard, praise and approval is give when people adhere to certain behaviours/beliefs. -Unconditional positive regard is where parents or significant others accepts and values the person for what he/she is. Positive regard is not withdrawn if the person does something wrong. No conditions need to be valued/loved.
• Person/client centred therapy 


  -Rogers argued that an individuals psychological problem was a direct result of conditions of worth and conditional positive regard they received.

  -Often these that seek counselling are in a state of incongruence and have low self-esteem.

  -In a counselling session people are able to solve their own problems in constructive ways and more towards becoming a functioning person.

  -Therapist is seen as a guide in the process as opposed to being director of the conventional treatments.
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs

  -All humans are born with an innate drive towards growth and fulfilling their full human potential - self actualisation.

  -These needs exists in a hierarchy. Only once more essential needs have been satisfied, the individual can now begin self actualisation.
• Self concept 


  Rogers argued a persons subjective concept and experience of the 'self' is central to thier self esteem and mental health.
• Self image 


  the subjective experience of the self, the personal view or mental picture we have.
• Ideal self


  is who you want to be. Subjective perception of self we feel we should move towards becoming.
• Congruence 


  when there is harmony and overlap between the self image and ideal self. High self-esteem, good mental health.

  Self image doesn't match ideal self.
• Incongruence 


  When there is little harmony or overlap between self image and ideal self. Leads to: low self esteem, poor mental health and difficultly self actualising.