Humanistic Approach

• What is the humanistic theory?

  Emphasises the importance of subjective experience and people's capacity for self-determination
• How does free will play a part in the humanistic approach?

  • Humans make choices and are not determined by biological/external forces
  • Reject scientific models that attempt to make general laws of behaviour
• How does self-actualisation play a part in the humanistic approach?

  • Desire to grow psychologically and fulfil your full potential
  • Highest level on Maslow's hierarchy of needs
  • Lower levels must be met before
  • Personal growth=developing to become fulfilled and goal oriented
• How did Maslow describe life using the humanistic approach?

  A series of peaks where all deficiency needs are satisfied
• What are Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs (Bottom to Top)?

  • Physiological needs
  • Safety and security
  • Love and belongingness
  • Self-esteem
  • Self-actualisation
• What is 'The self' and 'The ideal self'?

  The Self = the person we see ourselves as

  The Ideal Self = the person you would like to be
• What is congruence?

  • Aim of Rogerian therapy
  • When the self-concept and ideal self are seen to broadly match
• What is Roger's client-centered therapy?

  • Developed to help people cope with everyday living
  • Issues of low self esteem have roots in childhood from lack of unconditional love = conditions of worth
  • Therapist role: provide clients unconditional love they didn't receive
• What is 'Conditions of Worth'?

  • Parent limits love of children
  • I'll only love you if....
• What is 'Unconditional Positive Regard'?

  • Lack of unconditional love
  • Reason why adults experience issues with low self-esteem
• One strength of the humanistic approach:

  • Not Reductionist: Holistic (the idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering the whole person)
  • Validity because it considers meaningful human behaviour within its real-world context
• Another strength of the humanistic approach:

  • Positive Approach: optimistic alternative
  • Promotes a positive image of the human condition
  • See people as basically good
• One weakness of the humanistic approach:

  • Cultural Bias
  • Ideas associate more with individualistic countries (US) and not with collectivist cultures that prioritise the needs of the group
  • Approach is not universally applicable
  • Product of where it was developed (US)