AO1 of Humanistic Approach

• What is humanistic psychology concerned with?

  Explanations of healthy growth in individuals
• How did humanistic psychology develop separately from the other approaches?

  As a rebellion against the limitations of behaviorist and psychodynamic psychology
• Who were the key figures in the development of humanistic psychology?

  Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
• What does humanistic psychology reject from the behaviorist perspective?

  The deterministic assumptions focused on reinforcement of stimulus-response behavior
• Why does humanistic psychology reject the psychodynamic approach?

  Because it is also deterministic, focusing on unconscious irrational and instinctive forces
• What is central to humanistic psychology regarding human choices?

  People have free will in terms of the choices we make in life
• What is the person-centered approach in psychology?

  It focuses on the study of subjective experience rather than general laws
• What are the levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

  1. Physiological needs
  2. Safety needs
  3. Love/belonging needs
  4. Esteem needs
  5. Self-actualization
• What is self-actualization according to Maslow?


  A person's motivation to reach his or her full potential
• What must be met before self-actualization can be achieved?

  A person's basic needs must be met
• How do humanists view personal growth and fulfillment?

  As a basic human motive where each person seeks to grow psychologically
• What is the significance of self-actualization in humanistic psychology?


  It is a peak experience achieved during moments of extreme inspiration and ecstasy
• What did Rogers argue is necessary for personal growth?

  Congruence between an individual's concept of self and their ideal self
• What happens if there is a large gap between the self-concept and the ideal self?


  The person will experience a state of incongruence
• What is the self-image?

  The way a person sees themselves
• What is congruence in humanistic psychology?

  Where the self-concept and ideal self are similar or matched
• What did Rogers develop to help reduce the gap between self-concept and ideal self?

  Person-centered counseling
• What does a lack of unconditional positive regard from parents lead to, according to Rogers?

  Issues such as worthlessness and low self-esteem in adulthood
• What is the role of the therapist in Rogers' view?

  To provide unconditional positive regard to clients
• What are the key features of person-centered counseling?

  • Strongly non-directive
  • Encourages clients to find their own solutions
  • Counsellor listens intently and reflects back
  • Accepts clients' feelings and offers unconditional positive regard
• What do humanists believe is more important for the success of therapy?

  The relationship that the therapist develops with the client
• What does the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) identify as their core approach?

  Person-centered counseling