6. Humanistic approach

What is the humanistic approach?

An approach that emphasises free will, personal growth and the individual’s subjective experience.

What is the main focus of the humanistic approach?

The individual as a whole and their conscious experience. - making it a wholistic approach

What is meant by subjective experience?

How an individual personally experiences and interprets the world.

Which approaches does the humanistic approach reject?

Deterministic and reductionist approaches such as behaviourism and the biological approach.

What is free will?

The idea that humans can make their own choices and are not controlled by biological or environmental forces.

Why is free will important in the humanistic approach?

It allows individuals to take responsibility for their behaviour and personal growth.

What is determinism?

The idea that behaviour is controlled by internal or external forces outside an individual’s control.

How does the humanistic approach differ from deterministic approaches?

It argues humans have control over their actions rather than being controlled by forces.

What is holism?

The idea that behaviour should be understood by looking at the whole person.

Why is the humanistic approach considered holistic?

It considers emotional, cognitive and social factors together.

Who proposed the hierarchy of needs?

Abraham Maslow.

What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

A motivational theory suggesting human needs are arranged in a hierarchy.

What are the five levels of Maslow’s hierarchy?

Physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualisation.

What are physiological needs?

Basic survival needs such as food, water and shelter.

What are safety needs?

Needs for security, stability and protection.

What are love and belonging needs?

Needs for relationships, friendships and affection.

What are esteem needs?

Needs for self-respect, achievement and recognition.

What is self-actualisation?

Achieving one’s full potential and becoming the best version of oneself.

What must happen before self-actualisation can be reached?

Lower-level needs must be at least partly satisfied.

What is the self?

An individual’s sense of who they are.

What is self-concept?

How a person perceives and values themselves.

What is the real self?

Who a person actually is.

What is the ideal self?

Who a person would like to be.

What is congruence?

When the real self and ideal self are closely matched.

Why is congruence important?

It leads to psychological health and self-actualisation.

What is incongruence?

A mismatch between the real self and the ideal self.

What problems can incongruence cause?

Anxiety, low self-esteem and poor mental health.

What are conditions of worth?

Conditions placed on acceptance by others.

Give an example of conditions of worth.

A child only receiving praise when they achieve high grades.

Why are conditions of worth harmful?

They prevent individuals from developing a positive self-concept.

Who proposed unconditional positive regard?

Carl Rogers.

How does unconditional positive regard reduce incongruence?

It allows individuals to accept themselves and grow.

What is person-centred therapy?

A therapy that focuses on the client’s subjective experience and personal growth.

Who developed person-centred therapy?

Carl Rogers.

What are the three core conditions of person-centred therapy?

Unconditional positive regard, empathy and genuineness.

What is the goal of person-centred therapy?

To reduce incongruence and help clients self-actualise.

One strength of the humanistic approach (positive view)?

It emphasises human potential and personal growth.

One strength of the humanistic approach (applications)?

It has been influential in counselling and therapy.

One strength of the humanistic approach (holism)?

It considers the whole person rather than reducing behaviour.

One limitation of the humanistic approach (scientific)?

It lacks scientific rigour and objective measurement.

Why is self-actualisation difficult to study?

It is a vague and abstract concept.

One limitation of Maslow’s hierarchy (culture)?

It may be culture-biased towards individualistic societies.

Why is the humanistic approach criticised for being unscientific?

It relies on subjective experience rather than controlled experiments.