Humanistic approach

• What does deterministic mean?


  Suggests that behaviour is entirely, or at least partly, shaped by forces out of our control
• What does free will mean?

  The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological or external factors
• Assumptions of the humanistic approach?

  Individuals are affected by internal and external but are active agents who can determine their own development Reject more scientific approaches Everyone is unique and is a person centred approach
• Who is Abraham Maslow?


  Founder of the humanistic approach Interested in what motivates people Developed a hierarchy of needs for getting the best out of employees by meeting their needs which has since been broadened
• What are the five needs in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

  Self-actualisation, esteem, love/belonging, safety, physiological
• What is at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

  Physiological needs
• What is second in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

  Safety
• What is third in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

  Love/belonging
• What is fourth in Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

  Esteem
• What is at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

  Self-actualisation
• What is self-actualisation?

  The desire to grow psychologically and reach your full potential
• What needs to be met for self-actualisation?


  All four previous needs - deficiency needs Physiological needs, safety, love/belonging, esteem
• Why is self-actualisation important?

  Humanists say personal growth is essential to being a human
• Why won't everyone reach self-actualisation?

  Psychological barriers
• What did Rodgers argue?

  For personal growth an individual's self has to have congruence with their ideal self
• Rodgers what is self?


  The way an individual sees themselves
• Rodgers what is ideal self?

  Characteristics that a person wants to be
• Rodgers what is congruence?

  When a person's self and ideal self are similar
• Rodgers what is incongruence?

  Where a person's self and ideal self are different
• What happens if the gap between the self and ideal self is too big?

  Self-actualisation can't be achieved
• What does incongruence cause?

  Negative feelings of self worth
• How is incongruence delt with?

  Client-centred therapy
• Where does Rodgers say issues, we experience come from?

  Lack of unconditional positive regard in childhood as conditions of worth store up psychological problems for the child
• What is unconditional positive regard?


  Loving someone no matter what
• What is conditional positive regard?


  Only loving someone if they meet your conditions
• What are conditions of worth?

  When a parent places limits and boundaries on love for their children "I will only love you if"
• What does client-centred therapy do?

  Provide unconditional positive regard
• What does reductionism mean?

  Reducing a behaviour or experience down into smaller components
• Strengths of the humanistic approach

  It's not reductionist Optimistic
• Why is "It's not reductionist" a strength of the humanistic approach?

  Alternative approaches look at behaviour in a reductionist way Biological approach reduces behaviour to basic biological processesThe holistic epoch means that it explains human behaviour withing real world contexts
• Why is "Optimistic" a strength of the humanistic approach?

  Promote a positive image of the human condition compared to Freud says humans are prisoners of their past but humanists see everyone as good and working towards achievement and control of their lives.

  Offers optimism and an alternative approach to explaining human behaviour
• Weaknesses of the humanistic approach

  • Not scientific
  • Culturally biased
• Why is "Not scientific" a weakness of the humanistic approach?

  • it rejects scientific method Due to holistic nature can't be study scientifically
  • Can't explain human behaviour scientifically so lacks evidence
• Why is "Culturally biased" a weakness of the humanistic approach?

  • Only looks at countries with individualistic tendencies such as the USA
  • Ideas of humanistic may not be as relevant in collectivist cultures due to emphathsis on groups
  • Does not apply universally