Humanistic Approach AO1

Assumptions

Humans have total free will- a person is fully in charge of their own behaviour.

We are affected by internal and external influences but humans are active agents who have ability to determine their own behaviour.

It is idiographic- suggests that were all unique.

Believes in self governing.

Self actualisation is the main motivation of the human organisation.

It uses no experiments, conditions and generalisation but instead uses a person centered approach.

It isn’t interested in making general laws and assumptions.

Free Will

The idea that humans are free to choose their own thoughts and actions.

They aren’t determined by anything or anyone.

We have an active role in controlling our behaviour.

Views humans as self- governing, therefore aren’t acting in response to any external or internal influences.

Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs

He created it to explain what motivates people.

Most basic need is physiological.

Once one level is satisfied, we can move onto the next level- only able to progress throughout the hierarchy once the current need has been met.

The Hierarchy:

1. Self Actualisation- creativity, problem solving.

2. Esteem Needs- self esteem, confidence, achievement.

3. Belonging Needs- Friendship, family, sexual intimacy.

4. Safety & Security Needs- security of body, property.

5. Physiological Needs- food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis.

Self Actualisation

Represents the uppermost level of maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Self actualisation is a growth need.

The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one's full potential.

Where a person is creative, accepting of other people has an accurate perception of the world.

Maslow believed that self actualisation is the aim of most people but not everyone will manage this due to important psychological barriers, that may prevent a person from reaching their true potential.

Focus On The Self

The self/ self concept, refers to how we perceive ourselves as a person.

It includes:

1. Self Image- how we see ourselves. It is important for good psychological health. At a simple level, we might perceive ourselves as good or bad people, beautiful or ugly. Self image affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves in the world.

2. Ideal Self- the person who we would like to be. It consists of our goals and ambitions in life. It is dynamic; isn’t static- forever changing (ie. the ideal self in childhood, isn’t the ideal self as an adult).

Congruence and Incongruence

For a person to achieve self actualisation, they must be in a state of congruence. This is when a person’s ideal self is consistent with their actual experiences and self image.

If an individual is in a state of incongruence their ideal self may not be consistent with reality and self image. This can act as a barrier to personal growth and can explain the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Incongruence can lead to psychological illnesses and the individual will need therapy.

A total state of congruence doesn’t exist, will just be close enough.

Conditions Of Worth

Requirements that we think we have to meet in order for other people to accept and love us/ be worthy of their love.

Conditions of worth are a result of receiving conditional positive regard from others. As children we learn that certain things please our parents and we strive to do these things. As we grow we learn what society, friends, teachers etc seem to expect from us, we may end up internalising these conditions of worth that were imposed on us and live our lives according to these conditions.

This means we can’t live the way we actually are, resulting in unhappiness, lack of self worth and strive to satisfy conditions that may be unrealistic.

Unconditional positive regard is needed to reach self actualisation. No requirements needed to be met for others to love and accept us. A person feels free to try things and make mistakes even though this may lead to getting it wrong at times as there’s total acceptance by others.

Influence on counselling psychology

The humanistic approach has had practical applications it has influenced counselling therapy.

It says that an individual’s psychological problems were a direct result of their conditions of worth and the conditional positive regard they receive from other people as individuals have to change and become people who they aren’t, distant from reality.

Influence on counselling psychology- Aims

The aims of counselling psychology (person centred therapy) is:

• To increase a person’s feelings of self worth.

• Do this by reducing the level of incongruence (the gap) between a person’s self image and ideal self. This is done by increasing feelings of self worth or modifying/ making the ideal self more realistic and aligned.

• Help a person become a more fully functional individual and self actualise.

Influence on counselling psychology- How

To achieve their aims, a therapist provides empathy and unconditional positive regard. They do this by expressing their acceptance and understanding regardless of the feelings and attitudes the client expresses.

By offering an appropriately supportive, non - judgemental environment, helps dissolve the clients conditions of worth. The client can then move towards a more realistic and true self. ie. They are able to behave in a way that is true to the person they are rather than what others want them to be.