humanistic approach

• assumptions

  • they believe that humans have free will
  • we should look at individual cases as opposed to generalising theories to groups of people (idiographic)
  • people should be studied holistically (as a whole) otherwise important factors affecting behaviour could be missed
  • do not believe in scientific method- they argue that it is too objective and doesn't consider subjective experience of the individual- this is the 'person centred approach'
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs

  • self actualisation (desire to become the most one can be)
  • esteem (respect, self-esteem, status, recognition, strength, freedom)
  • love and belonging (friendship, intimacy, family, sense of connection)
  • security (personal security, employment, resources, wealth, owning property)
  • physiological (air, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing, reproduction)
• the three selves (Rogers)

  • self concept (who we think we are)
  • the actual self (who we really are)
  • the ideal self (who we want to be)

  Rogers believed that these three selves must have congruence in order to reach self-actualisation
• conditions of worth

  Rogers stated that many issues adults face with low self esteem and incongruence between selves may occur due to their childhood. In order to reach self actualisation, a person must receive unconditional positive regard (to be loved and accepted for who they are ). Instead problems arise when people receive conditional positive regard, which are requirements that an individual feels they need to achieve in order to be loved.
• client centred therapy

  this therapy bridges the gap between an individuals three selves and builds a relationship between the patient and therapist. The patient will also receive unconditional positive regard that they may have lacked as a child and be able to say anything they think or feel and be accepted regardless.
• humanistic approach- AO3

  • emphasises free will and subjectivity, taking the experience of the patient into account
  • real life application in use development of client centred therapy
  • not reductionist- does not simplify behaviour and advocates for holistic approach
  • concepts such as 'self actualisation' and 'congruence' are vague and untestable
  • culturally biased- more closely related to individualist than collectivist cultures
  • limited application or impact on psychology as a whole