humanistic psychology

Free will

The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological or external forces. Humanistic psychology claims that human beings are self determining and though they are affected by external and internal influences they can determine their own development. They reject more scientific models and is seen as a person centred approach in psychology.

Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs

He described a hierarchy of needs that motivate our behaviour. In order to achieve our primary goal of self actualisation a number of deficiency needs must be met, psychological needs, safety and security, love and belongingness, self-esteem, and then self actualisation.

Self actualisation

Most people have an inmate desire to achieve their full potential. Psychologist regard personal growth as an essential part of what is to be human. This is about developing and changing as a person to become fulfilled, satisfied and goal orientated and they believe that there are psychological barriers that prevent a person from reaching their potential.

The self, congruence and conditions of worth

Call Rogers concept of self is equivalent to congruence with their ideal self. If two big of a gap exists between the two selves the person will experience a state of incongruence and self actualisation will not be possible. Rogers developed client centred therapy called counselling to help people cope with the problems of every day living such as worthlessness and low self-esteem. People have their roots in childhood and can often be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard.

Not reductionist

One strength is that it rejects attempts to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components. Biological psychologists reduce behaviour to its physiological processes. Humanistic psychologist avoid Home, the idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering the whole person. Therefore this approach may have more validity because it considers meaningful human behaviour within its real world context.

Not reductionist counterpoint

Reductionist approaches may be more scientific, the issue of humanistic psychology is that there are relatively few concepts that can be broken down to single variables and be measured. Therefore, this approach is short on empirical evidence to support its claims.

Positive approach

Humanistic psychology is praised for bringing the person back into psychology and promoting a positive image of the human condition. They see all people as basically good, free to work towards the achievement of their potential and in control of their lives. This suggests that humanistic psychology offers a refreshing and optimistic alternative to other approaches.

Western cultural bias

One limitation is that this approach is culturally biased. Many of the ideas that are central to this approach such as individual freedom would be more readily associate with individualistic cultures in the Western world. Collective cultures such as India emphasise the need of groups and community. Therefore, it is possible that this approach does not apply university and is the product of the cultural context within which it was developed.

Counselling psychology

Rogers referred to those in therapy as clients rather than patients thus therapy is not directed by the therapist and the client is encouraged towards this the discovery of their own solutions within a therapeutic atmosphere. He said an effective therapist should provide clients with free things genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. The aim of therapy is to increase the persons feelings of self Guelph and help achieve self actualisation. He helped transform psycho therapy by introducing a variety of counselling techniques which has been praised and called an effective approach.