Psych: Approaches

• Humanistic approach: understands behaviour through experience and self-determination 
• Free will: human choices are not determined by biological or external forces 

  • The humanistic approach claims that human beings are self-determining and have free will = we are active agents who have the ability to determine our own development / we are all unique 
• Self-actualisation: the innate tendency we have to achieve our full potential + become the best version of ourselves
• • In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs the 4 lower levels must be met before the individual can work towards self-actualisation - a growth need:
  • Top: self-actualisation → self-esteem → love and belongingness → safety and security → physiological needs 
• The self: idea and values that characterise ‘I’ and “me”
• • Rogers argues that for personal growth to be achieved an individual's concept of self must be congruent (alined) with their ideal self (the person they want to be) 
  • >> If the gap is too big the person will experience a state of incongruence and self-actualisation is not possible due to negative feelings of self-worth 
• Rogers claimed that many issues we experience as adults e.g. worthlessness, low self-esteem… have roots in childhood and are due to a lack of unconditional positive regard / unconditional love from our parents

  • >> a parent who sets boundaries on their love for their child e.g. “I will only love you if…” → is storing up psychological problems + prevents personal growth