Humanistic Approach

• Free Will


  The idea we have choices on the ways we act.
• They believe we are self determining and free from the casual influences of the past. nothing makes us do anything
• we dont have to be scientific. we have free will meaning everyone has personal responsibility. emotion is important.
• Maslow's Hierarchy

  he looked at what can make people happy which is known as positive psychology. it contained:

  • physiological needs
  • safety needs
  • belonging and love needs
  • self-esteem needs
  • cognitive needs
  • aesthetic needs
  • self actualisation
• Strengths on Maslow's hierarchy:


  • real life application eg buisnesses
  • relates to human experience like we need food to survive
  • provides helpful therapies like client centred therapy
• weaknesses of Maslow's Hierarchy


  • culturally bias as self actualisation is selfish
  • it is not scientific as it is unmeasurable
  • free will may be an illusion. skinner believes this