7)humanist approach

What’s the view on free will from the humanist approach?

They place emphasis of human behaviour on a individual’s ability to freely choose their behaviour. While we are not completely free (due to being bound by forces such as biological and societal influences) we are able to make significant personal choices within those constraints

What approaches does the humanist view try to have?

Idiographic approach- we should be studied as unique individuals

Holistic approach- it’s in appropriate to use a reductionist, scientific approach to study human behaviour as it is dehumanising to treat them like lab rats

Whats Measlow’s theory (1943)

Maslow was not concerned with what went wrong with people but instead he wanted to find out what could go right. His theory emphasised the importance of personal growth and fulfilment

What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Maslow proposed that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy. Basic needs must generally be met before higher needs can be pursued:

1. Physiological needs – food, water, sleep

2. Safety needs – security and stability

3. Love and belonging – relationships and acceptance

4. Esteem – achievement, confidence and respect

5. Self-actualisation – reaching your full potential

The humanistic approach argues that people are motivated to satisfy these needs and ultimately achieve self-actualisation.

According to Maslow, what certain characteristics do people who self actualise have?

Creativity, accepting other people, accurate perception or the world around. The individual feels able to leave behind all doubts, fears and inhibitions

What proof is there that the humanist approach may be ethnocentric?

Nevis (1983) studied the concept of Maslow hierarchy in china, he found love and belonging need were seen as much more fundamental than physiological needs. Plus other cultures define success in terms of the group and find self actualisation selfish

What’s self concept?

Refers to how we perceive ourselves as a person. Rogers said we have two basic needs: positive regard from others and a feeling of self worth

When do feelings of self worth develop?

They develop in childhood as a result of a child interaction with their feelings. Further interactions with significant others also contribute to our self worth. Rogers believed that our feelings of self worth ate important in determining our psychological health

What’s congruence?

When there is similarity between a person’s ideal self and how they perceive themselves in real life, the person is in a state of congruence

What happens when our self image and ideal self are close to each other?

The greater our sense of self worth

How do people develop ‘conditions of worth’

When people experience conditional regard they develop. The conditions they perceive that significant others put on them in order to be accepted by others

What’s the aim of Roger’s therapy?

It aims to increase the person’s feelings of self worth, reduce levels of incongrugence and helps the person become a more fully functional person

How has the ideas of the humanistic approach have had useful applications in modern therapy?

Many current therapies use ideas from client centered therapy. Such as having a warm and empathetic environment, active listening and displayed unconditional positive regard for the client. However it’s less effective for more severe mental illnesses such as psychosis

Why is the humanistic approach unscientific?

It lacks features of science due to not believing in testing humans in a controlled environment and manipulating variables. This is because humanist believe in observing humans in an holistic manner and rejected turning them into lab rats. Since it fails to be testable in a scientific manner, it becomes difficult to establish the theory as a way to explain human behaviour

Why is it a strength that the humanistic approach takes an optimistic view of human behaviour?

It gives humans free will and argues that they are innately positive and motivated to self actualise

Why is it argued that the humanist approach lack realism?

Critics argue that people are not all inherently good and ‘growth-oriented’ as humanist suggests. This approach ignores people’s capacity for pessimism and self destructive behaviour