humanistic approach

what’s the main idea

• based on free will

• we are all unique and thus we should therefore study individuals without aiming to establish universal laws

Maslow believed humans have the unique feature of personal growth and the drive for self actualisation

Rogers identified that were there two key barriers to personal growth

• incongruence (congruence is when there’s no gap between the self concept and ideal self )

• conditions of worth (conditions such as low self esteem and self worth originate in childhood where adults restrict the love they show to children )

• eg mum saying “i will be proud of u only if u achieve high grades” , this is a lack of unconditional positive regard

what did roger’s develop

client centered therapy to help patients to work through barriers to enable self actualisation

strengths of humanistic approach

• holistic (individual should be understood as a whole )

• free will

• practical applications (CCT)

limitations of humanistic approach

• not scientific ( no studies done , reduces credible)

• practical applications not as widespread and effective (CCT only for rich people)