The Humanistic Approach

Point 1

strength- led to development of CCT

Explain 1

CCT is a widely used and effective treatment for issues like low self esteem - revolutionised counselling in schools and workplace 

Expand 1

CCT works by giving client unconditional positive regard So they meet that esteem needs and achieve congruence for self actualization

Link 1

therefore treatment is effective and based on elements of humanistic psychology equals increased validity

Counter 1

CCT is limited in application - bcs it's not suitable for serious mental health disorders, decreasing validity

Point 2

Strength - holistic

Explain 2

this is the idea that human behaviour can only be understood by considering the whole person 

Expand 2

e.g When treating an individual with anorexia their emotions and behaviours are considered

Link 2

increases validity as it doesn't attempt to break complex behaviours down into smaller components

Furthermore 2

• Fm, HA is only approach that considers role of free will in human behaviour

• states that we have the ultimate control over our behaviour which satisfies most people's ideas about behaviour

Point 3

Limitstion - unscientific

Explain 3

approach has many vague and abstract concepts Difficult to assess for example concept of congruence and self actualization

Expand 3

Fm, HA actively defines itself as ‘anti scientific’ and rejects the idea that human behaviour can be studied scientifically

Link 3

Therefore, research that does support HA lacks reliability as it is inconsistent and theories like validity as they cannot be tested

Futhermore 3

Fm, HA is ethnocentric as it is based on individualistic ideas and fails to consider how collectivistic cultures may vary in their behaviours