HUMANISTIC ESSAY PLAN

AO1 - assumptions

• IDIOGRAPHIC - everyone is unique and so psychology should focus in subjective experiences/feelings/thoughts of a person.

• each individual has free will

• HOLISTIC - humans should be viewed as a whole and not reduced to component parts - may have more valid than alternatives as it considers human behaviour within real life context rather than artificial environment e.g. lab

• scientific method not valid way to study human behaviour as humans are subjective

AO1 - SELF-ACTUALISATION

• attempt to achieve full potential and become best they can possibly be

AO1 - PERSONAL GROWTH

• DEVELOPING AS A PERSON TO BECOME FULFILLED/SATISFIED/GOAL-ORIENTATED.

• essential part of what it means to be human.

• path to self-actualisation

AO1 - INCONGRUENCE

• when self-concept, ideal self and real self differ from one another and prevents individual from achieving self-actualisation

• can be overcome through client centred therapy

AO3 - STRENGTH

P - contribution to psychology

E - provided alternative viewpoint by suggesting people are active agents who are able to change/determine own development

promotes idea of personal responsibility - concepts such as self-actualisation widely accepted

MHON influential in & out of world of psych

E - STRENGTH = without contribution of this approach to psych - knowledge of human behaviour limited

AO3 - LIMITATION

P - exaggerates significance of free will

E - belief everyone can exercise FW as we are rational, conscious beings not dominated by unconscious primitive forces.

E - LIMITATION - many psychologist disagree (determinists). e.g. Freud - ophthalmology due to repressed feelings and desires and unconscious – out of individuals control.

Questions validity of assumption humans have FW

AO3 - STRENGTH

P - practical application

E - evidence to suggest client therapy is effective – popularity increased recently. Sexton & Whiston phone client sent to therapies successful in treating anxiety for some people.

E - STRENGTH = treatment based on assumption – must have some validity

AO3 - LIMITATION

P - cultural bias

E - personal growth, self actualisation valued an individual societies. Collectivist = needs of group placed over one’s own. Such concepts irrelevant.

E - LIMITATION = may not provide valid theory of human behaviour in all cultures – arguably more useful/relevant and individualistic societies