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• the humanistic approach is a person centred approach and shows that people have freewill are in control of their behaviour.
• the humanistic approach criticised Freud for stating that behaviour is due to factors out of our control.
• the humanistic approach emerged in 1950's america.

  • Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow created a person centred approach which focuses on the idea that humans are unique and in control of their destiny.
• the humanistic approach rejected the psychodynamic and behaviourist approaches.
• external factors can affect us but we can choose to reject them
• we are 'active agents' in our development
• Carl Rogers proposed-

  • the conditions of worth
  • congruence
• carl rogers believed that everyone is essentially good and that everyone is capable of growth, but to achieve that they need unconditional positive regard and positive self worth.
• conditions of worth are conditions that we think we must meet in order to be loved by people.

  • if conditions of worth are imposed we are less likely to achieve potential
• Unconditional positive regard

  • other people love us despite our faults
• positive self worth

  • when a person is happy and confident in themselves
• Rogers said that congruence is the level of similarity between you and your ideal self

  • if conditions of worth are met we are more likely to achieve congruence.
• Abraham Maslow: hierarchy of needs

  • maslow believed that humans are always in a state of wanting, these stages are split into 5
• hierarchy of needs-

  • S.E.L.S.P (sounds like cell sap)

  (order is from top to bottom)

  • self actualization- fully fulfilled in life
  • esteem - self esteem, confidence
  • love/belonging- friendship, family
  • safety- security of mind, body, finance etc
  • physiological- food, water, sleep
• the needs lower in the hierarchy need to be fulfilled first

  • only 1-2% of the population reach self actualization
• Rogers also developed person centred therapy

  • a therapist should always offer genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard.
  • aim of therapy is to increase a person's self worth, reduce incongruence and help them become 'fully functioning'