humanistic

• Assumptions of humanistic psychology

  • Emphasis on subjective experiences and free will
  • Ultimate goal of self-actualisation (Maslow's hierarchy of needs)
  • Self-ideal self
  • High congruence = high self worth
  • Conditions of worth
  • Conditional positive regard
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs

  • Self-actualisation
  • Self-esteem
  • Belongingness/love
  • Safety
  • Physiological
• Humanistic psychology


  • Emphasis on subjective experiences and free will
  • Ultimate goal of self-actualisation
  • Considers the whole person
• Client-centred therapy (Rogers)


  1. Therapist acts as a guide offering empathy and unconditional positive regard

  2. Addresses low self-esteem

  3. Works through unresolved conflicts
• Evaluation: positive


  Approach that humans want to reach their full potential, holistic approach that considers all influences
• Economic growth


  When needs are met, countries have higher GDP
• Humanistic approach - lacks scientific rigour
• Humanistic approach - methods can't be objectively tested
• Humanistic approach - Behaviour is more complex and not everyone is uniquely good
• Humanistic approach - Lack of cross-cultural validity because it can't be applied to all collectivist cultures