The Humanistic approach

Assumptions

• argues that people are born with free will and a wish to grow and fulfil their potential (the need to self actualise)

• Humanistic approach to disorders is the notion of the self, focusing on self image and personal agency

• Humanistic psychology also believes that people are basically good, and have the innate need to make and the world better

• Less scientific than other approaches as it relies on subjective judgements or deals with concepts that are difficult or impossible to measure empirically

• Holistic in contrast to other reductionist approaches like the biological and cognitive approach

Free Will

Idea that we have choices in the way we act

Free will separates out what is the intention of an individual from what has been created by other causes

This means we are ‘self determined’ and free from casual influences of the past

Self-Actualisation

Humanistic psychologists believe that everyone has an innate drive to achieve their full potential

The term they developed for the state we achieve when we reach our full potential self-actualisation

Ultimate feeling of well being and satisfaction but point out that although we are driven to achieve it, not all of us do

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

• self actualisation

• Aesthetic needs

• Cognitive needs

• Self esteem needs

• Belonging and love needs

• Safety needs

• Physiological needs

Evaluation points

Methodological issues -

Practical applications +

Cultural bias -

The self, Congruence and the Role of Conditions of Worth

Carl Rogers believed their was an innate human tendency for personal growth even when conditions are strongly unfavourable

Identified some of the key features involved in this process of personal growth

The Self

Ideal self- who we want to/wish to be

Actual self- who we actually are, difficult self to demonstrate as the subjective experience that is important in humanistic psychology means that everyone will report it differently

Perceived self- how we see ourselves, similar to self esteem

Congruence

Healthy sense of well-being established if an individual has consistency between ideal self and actual behaviour

Conditions of worth

Conditions imposed on an individual’s character or behaviour that are considered necessary to earn positive regard from significant others

Points of the humanistic approach

Practical applications +

Methodological issues -

Supporting evidence +

Theoretical view +