Humanistic approach

• Humanistic psychology

  Claims human beings have free will and are self-determining
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs

  Describes a hierarchy of needs that motivate our behaviour, with self-actualisation at the top
• Self-actualisation

  Represents the uppermost level of Maslow's hierarchy, the innate desire to achieve one's full potential
• The self, congruence and conditions of worth


  For personal growth, an individual's self-concept must be congruent with their ideal self, otherwise they experience incongruence and negative feelings of self-worth
• Humanistic psychology rejects reductionist approaches that break down behaviour into smaller components