Humanistic psychology

• Evaluation: Cultural bias (limitation)


  The approach may be culturally-biased.

  Many ideas that are central to humanistic psychology, such as individual freedom, autonomy and personal growth, are more associated with countries that have more individualist tendencies (ie. USA).

  Countries with collectivist tendencies emphasise more the needs of the group and interdependence. In such countries, the ideals of humanistic psychology may not be as important as in others.

  It's possible that the approach doesn't apply universally and is a product of the cultural context within which it was developed.
• Evaluation: Positive approach (strength)


  The approach is optimistic.

  Humanistic psychologists have been praised for bringing the person back into psychology, and promoting positive image of the human conditions.

  See all people as basically good, free to work towards the achievement of their potential and in control of their lives.

  Approach offers a refreshing and optimistic alternative.
• Evaluation: Not reductionist (strength)


  The approach rejects attempts to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components.

  Explain human learning in terms of simple stimulus-response connections. Advocated holism, the idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering the whole person.

  May have more validity than its alternatives by considering meaningful human behaviour within its real-world context.
• Conditions of worth

  When a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children. For example, a person saying to a child 'I will only love you if....
• Client-centered therapy

  Developed to reduce the gap between the self-concept and ideal self.

  Issues like worthlessness and low self-esteem have roots in childhood, can be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard. Conditions of worth store psychological problems for their children in the future.

  Roger's provided unconditional positive regard to clients.
• Congruence


  The aim of Rogerian therapy, when the self-concept and the ideal self are seen to match.
• The self


  Roger's argued that for personal growth to be achieved a person's self-concept must be similar with their ideal self.

  If the gap between the self-concept and ideal self is too big, the person will experience a state of incongruence, self-actualisation will not be possible.
• Definition of self-actualisation


  The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one's full potential - becoming what you're capable of.
• Self-actualisation


  Fifth level, growth need.

  Morality, creativity, spontaneity, acceptance of facts.
• Self-esteem


  Fourth level, deficiency need.

  Confidence, achievement, respect of others and by others.
• Love/belonging


  Third level, deficiency need.

  Friendships, family, sexual intimacy.
• Safety


  Second level, deficiency need.

  Security of body, employment, of recourses, of health, of family.
• Physiological

  First level, deficiency need.

  Breathing, food, water, sex, sleep.
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs


  A five-levelled hierarchical sequence where basic psychological needs must be satisfied before higher psychological needs can be achieved.
• Free will


  The notion that humans can make choices and aren't determined by internal biological or external forces.
• Assumptions

  Reject the scientific method.

  Psychology should study internal conscious experience rather than external behaviour.

  People have the ability to make choices (free will) and are unique (idiographic).