Humanism

• :) holistic approach

  > takes into account how a person's subjective experience would influence and explain their behaviour, such as social and cultural context

  > whereas, reductionist approaches reduce complex human behaviour down to a consequence of stimulus, response and association

  > humanism seen as a more valid way of understanding behaviour in real life
• :) practical applications

  > the principles of the theory, that individuals have the free will to choose their behaviour, has led to the treatment of person-centred therapy

  > can be used to treat abnormalities in the world, such as depression, by helping individuals achieve congruence and self-actualise

  > important part of applied psychology
• :( bound by cultural relativism

  > many concepts of humanism, such as self-actualisation and personal growth, are associated with individualistic cultures

  > collectivist cultures, such as India, emphasise the needs of community and working as a group

  > it is possible that humanism does not apply universally - limited to Western cultures