The humanistic approach

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:

In order to reach the primary goal of self-actualisation, a number of deficiency needs must be met first. Food and water → safety → love → self-esteem → self-actualisation

The self:

Rogers argued for personal growth to be achieved, our concept of the self and our ideal selves must align, if they don’t this leads to incongruence and no self-actualisation.

In order to reduce this gap, Rogers found client-centred therapy (counselling). Lots of issues we have stem from lack of unconditional positive regard in childhood (conditions of worth: ‘I’ll love you if you…).

Low determinism

Unlike other approaches, it prioritises free-will which makes it a positive approach as we feel in control of who we are and what we do.

Low reductionism

Unlike other approaches, humanism prioritises holism which makes it more applicable to human experiences as a whole (more valid?)

Cultural bias

Imposed etic. Highlights the needs of individualistic cultures, not collectivist. Not generalisable.