The Humanistic Approach

• human?

  free will, free thinking, free choosing.
• dancer?

  determined by forces beyond our control.
• the humanistic approach:

  • newest approach in psychology and referred to as the 3rd face in psychology.
  • developed in reaction to the pessimistic psychodynamic approach and the deterministic behaviourist approach.
• basic assumptions of the humanistic approach?

  1. people have free will to determine their own destiny.
  2. people are essentially good and need positive regard to grow psychologically.
  3. people strive to self-actualise and reach their full potential.
  4. subjective experience is more important than objective reality.
  5. humans are unique and should be studied as a whole.
  6. the self and self concept is fundamental in understanding human behaviour.
  7. therapies should be person centered and involve warmth unconditional positive regard.

  humanistic psychologists reject science.
• what is free will?

  the idea that we have choices in how we act.

  • separates out what is the intention of an individual from what has been created by other causes.
  • this means that we are 'self-determining' and free from the casual influences of the past.
• what methods are used by the humanistic approach and why are they used?

  1. case studies:

  • in depth study of one person.
  • takes into account subjective experience.

  2. Q Sort Test:

  • used to assess people's self-perception and therefore self-concept.

  3. unstructured interviews:

  • more detail gained from the p' as the interviewer is not controlling and directing the questionning. questions are unique to individual.

  4. analysing diaries and letters:

  • allows humanists to study famous people who are believed to be self-actualised.
  • subjective interpretation of events can be analysed.
• what else does the humanistic approach assume?

  • human nature is inherently good.
  • people are unhappy as they are incongruent w/ their ideal self.
• what did carl rogers say?

  • a person's self concept consists of 3 parts: self-image, ideal self, self-esteem.
• what is congruence? (carl rogers)

  a person's self-image matches their ideal self.
• what is incongruence? (carl rogers)

  very little overlap between the real self and the ideal self (self-image doesn't match ideal self).
• why does incongruence create self-esteem issues? (carl rogers)

  people will believe less in themselves if they are not trending toward their future or ideal self.
• what is the ideal self? (carl rogers)

  what someone wants to become in their life.

  • rogers argued that for personal growth to occur, an individual's self has to be in congruence w/ their ideal self.
• what is the real self? (carl rogers)

  who a person actually is.

  • believed every person strives to be a creative, fully functioning being who desires to reach their full potential (self-actualising).
• what is (unconditional) positive self-regard? (carl rogers)

  showing complete support + acceptance of a person.
• what are conditions of worth? (carl rogers)

  external factors could affect how we value/measure our self worth based on our ability.
• what is a fully functioning person? (carl rogers)

  someone who is striving to self-actualise.
• what is salient needs? (maslow)

  when a deficient need has been satisfied, it will go away and our activities become habitually directed toward meeting the next set of needs we have yet to satisfy.
• what is self-actualisation? (maslow)

  believed that humans have a 'hierarchy of needs' which need to be satisfied and develop as a person.

  • classified the five levels of the hierarchy into 2 categories: deficiency needs & growth needs.
• what are deficiency needs? (maslow)

  physiological, safety, belonging (social, love), esteem.
• what are physiological needs? (maslow)

  most basic of the hierarchy. essentials needed for physical survival, e.g. food, water, warmth, shelter.
• what are safety needs? (maslow)

  an individual's need for protection from physical harm, as well as need for emotional wellbeing, job/financial security, and overall health.
• what are belonging (social, love) needs? (maslow)

  humans are social creatures. have a need for friendship, intimacy, family & love.
• what are esteem needs? (maslow)

  related to a person's need to gain recognition, status and feeling respected.
• what are growth needs (maslow)?

  needs relating to self-actualisation.
• draw maslow’s hierarchy:

  DRAW IT NOW

  
• personal growth?

  • maslow & rogers both emphasised personal growth as being important.
  • personal growth = when we change as a person and become more fulfilled.

  maslow:

  • satisfaction of deficiency needs.
  • allows growth needs to be satisfied.
  • reach self-actualisation.

  rogers:

  • congruence in our self-concept.
  • smaller gap between our ideal self and real self.
  • reach our full potential.
• positive affirmations for self-growth? (real-life applications)

  • what would be the benefit of doing these positive affirmations daily? (for the individual).
• motivation for self-actualising? (real-life applications)

  • what would be the benefit of positive affirmations for wider society?
• what are the barriers of positive affirmations/motivation for self-actualising? (real-life applications)

  • people forget to be realistic.
• person centered therapy? (real-life applications)

  a form of therapy that can be used to treat:

  • SZ
  • depression
  • personality disorders
  • alcohol disorder etc.

  does NOT aim to change the individual but instead allows them to reach their own conclusions and develop.
• how must a councillor act in person centered therapy? (real-life applications)

  • assume client is responsible for their own actions, can't be governed by the therapist.
  • create a warm and secure atmosphere where client feels comfortable to express anything they wish w/out being judged.
  • have a sensitive reflection and clarification of the client's thoughts and behaviours expressed.
• what were the 3 clear skills roger believed therapists must have? (real-life applications)

  • congruence: be open and appear genuine.
  • unconditional positive regard: musn't evaluate them but accept them for who they are.
  • empathy: show sensitivity and understanding to the client's thoughts and feelings.
• what are the strengths of the humanistic approach?

  • focuses on human behaviour as a whole and believes that people want to better themselves (positive).
  • more emphasis on free-will, doesn't look at humans as not being able to control their behaviour.
• what are the weaknesses of the humanistic approach?

  • doesn't take into account collectivist cultures (e.g. indian) more of a western bias (western cultures tend to focus on individuals).
  • reject any attempt to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components, only look at a person as a whole.
  • overly optimistic about human nature- idealistic! are we all instrinsically good?
• what are the strengths of PCT?

  • non-directive approach- clients are empowered to take the lead in their therapy sessions, which promotes personal growth.
  • empathy and understanding- creates a safe space where clients feel understood and valued.
• what are the weaknesses of PCT?

  • can't be used to help people w/ severe problems who need direction- outsiders can sometimes see a problem more clearly than the individual.
  • time consuming- process is slow, requiring multiple sessions before sig. progress is made- frustrating for clients.
  • not suitable for severe issues- doesn't provide specific interventions some might need.