The Humanistic Approach (6)

What is the main assumption of the humanistic approach?

Behaviour isn’t determined by things like biology/environment but our own free will- we make significant choices in what we do

what is assumption 1?

Maslow Hierarchy

Describe Maslow Hierarchy (Assumption 1)?

• Basic needs at bottom and advanced at the top.

• Each level must be fulfilled before moving up to the next one

→ emphasises importance of self growth/fulfilment- we make the choices to move up

• Maslow argued we all have the innate desire to achieve one’s full potential

what’s the 5 stages of Maslow hierarchy (diagram)?

what’s assumption 2?

Roger: the self

what’s our actual/ ideal self?

States that the actual self is how we see ourself now/ Ideal self is what you want to be or feel you should be.

when do our feelings of self worth develop?

During childhood (relationships with parents) and because of interactions with significant others (friends etc.)

What is congruence?

When there is similarity/overlap between a persons ideal self and how they perceive themselves to be in real life.

How does congruence occur and what do we feel if we achieve congruence?

It’s our choice to achieve congruence; the closer our actual self and ideal self, the greater our self worth and overall psychological health.

What are the 2 types of conditions of worth?

Unconditional positive regard and Conditional positive regard

what’s unconditional positive regard?

where we have no conditions of worth- we have acceptance by others no matter what

what’s conditional positive regard?

We are only accepted based on what others want us to do- we develop conditions of worth

What are the 3 evaluation points for the humanistic approach?

• Application to therapy

• Some research support- conditions of worth

• Despite being more holistic – still overlooks some factors

How is application to therapy a strength of the humanistic approach?

Can help with mild mental health issues (anxiety/depression)

→ the concepts within this approach have led to the development of counselling therapies (PCT) that are well utilised around the world and aim to treat a variety of psychological issues and mental health problems. However, this wouldn’t work for every type of mental health condition.

→ this matters because counselling can be an effective treatment for many mental health issues and demonstrates the utility of the approach to help improve the lives of those with mental health conditions

how is research support a strength of the humanistic approach?

Hatred et al 1996 found the teenagers who feel they must fulfil certain conditions to meet their parents approval (high conditions of worth) frequently end up not liking themselves. This creates a false self and can also lead to depression and losing touch with their own identity.

→ however this approach has little evidence – not scientific, the concepts are hard to test empirically

Therefore, the research does increase the validity of the theory, however, the research isnt scientific or empirical and is self assessed so it isn’t completely accurate

How is overlooking some factors a limitation of the humanistic approach?

Humanistic approach assumes all behaviour is down to our own choices and free will. However, biological approach would argue behaviours come from our biological processes (E.G neuroanatomy/ genes). This matters because it shows that the humanistic approach can’t offer a complete explanation the human behaviour, all the factors such as biology do need to be considered as well. Therefore this approach is still limited in its explanation.