• Humanistic Psychology: free will, self-actualisation and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, focus on the self, congruence, the role of conditions of worth. The influence on counselling Psychology.

What are the Basic Assumptions of Humanistic Psychology?

• Humans have free will and can choose their behaviour.
• Humans are naturally motivated toward growth and self-improvement.
• Focuses on conscious experience and the self.

What is Free Will?

• Ability to consciously choose behaviour and make decisions.
• Humanistic psychologists reject strict determinism.

What is Self-Actualisation?

• Desire to achieve full potential and become the best version of oneself.
• Highest level of human motivation.

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

• Hierarchy of human needs proposed by Maslow.
• Lower needs must be met before self-actualisation can be achieved.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — Order

• Physiological needs.
• Safety needs.
• Love and belonging needs.
• Esteem needs.
• Self-actualisation.

What are Physiological Needs?

• Basic survival needs such as food, water and sleep.

What are Safety Needs?

• Need for security, protection and stability.

What are Love and Belonging Needs?

• Need for relationships, affection and social connection.

What are Esteem Needs?

• Need for achievement, confidence, respect and recognition.

What is the Focus on the Self in Humanistic Psychology?

• Humanistic psychology focuses on subjective experience and self-concept.
• Emphasises conscious thoughts and feelings.

What is Self-Concept?

• Perception and understanding a person has of themselves.

What is the Ideal Self?

• Person an individual wants to become.
• Represents goals and aspirations.

What is Congruence?

• Similarity between self-concept and ideal self.
• Associated with healthy psychological functioning.

What is Incongruence?

• Gap between self-concept and ideal self.
• Can lead to anxiety and low self-worth.

What is Unconditional Positive Regard?

• Acceptance and love given regardless of behaviour.
• Important for healthy psychological development.

What are Conditions of Worth?

• Conditions placed on acceptance and approval by others.
• Individual feels loved only if they behave in certain ways or meet expectations.

How do Conditions of Worth Lead to Incongruence?

• Individuals may deny or change parts of themselves to gain approval.
• Creates mismatch between real self and ideal self.
• Can lead to low self-esteem and psychological problems.

What is Client-Centred Therapy?

• Humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers.
• Focuses on helping clients achieve congruence and self-actualisation.

What Conditions are Provided in Rogers’ Therapy?

• Empathy.
• Genuineness.
• Unconditional positive regard.

How Did Humanistic Psychology Influence Counselling Psychology?

• Led to development of client-centred therapy.
• Influenced modern counselling approaches focused on personal growth and self-understanding.

Humanistic Approach AO3 — Positive Approach

• Focuses on growth, free will and personal development.
• More optimistic than psychodynamic and behaviourist approaches.

Humanistic Approach AO3 — Practical Applications

• Humanistic principles used in counselling, therapy and education.
• Demonstrates real-world usefulness.

Humanistic Approach AO3 — Lack of Scientific Methods

• Concepts such as self-actualisation are difficult to measure objectively.
• Reduces scientific credibility.

Humanistic Approach AO3 — Cultural Bias

• Focus on individual achievement and self-actualisation reflects individualistic cultures.
• May be less applicable to collectivist cultures.

Humanistic Approach AO3 — Unrealistic View of Human Nature

• Assumes humans are naturally good and motivated for growth.
• May underestimate destructive or harmful behaviour.