Humanistic approach

free will

humanistic approach is the only approach that supports free will rather than determinism

Rogers and Maslow reject scientific models that establish general principles of human behaviour

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

motivates our behaviour

need to meet a number of deficiency needs to achieve our primary goal of self-actualisation

lowest to highest

physiological needs , safety and security , love and belongingness , self-esteem , self-actualisation

self-actualisation

innate desire to achieve full potential

a growth need in Maslow’s hierarchy in which all 4 deficiency needs must be met beforehand

Rogers

argued that for personal growth to be achieved an individual’s concept of self (the way they see themselves), must be equivalent to or have congruence with their ideal self (the person they want to be). If too big a gap exists the person will experience a state of incongruence and self-actualisation will not be possible due to negative feelings of self-worth

To reduce the gap, Rogers developed client-centred therapy (counselling) to help people cope with problems of everyday living. Claimed that many issues we experience as adults e.g. worthlessness have their roots in childhood and can often be explained by lack of unconditional positive regard (lack of unconditional love) from our parents