Humanistic A

Humanistic psychology is characterized by a focus on free will, self-actualisation, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, emphasis on the self, congruence, and the role of conditions of worth.
Its influence on counselling psychology is significant.

Originated in the United States during the 1950s.
Major contributors: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
Recognized as the "third force" in psychology, alongside behaviorist and psychodynamic approaches.
It challenges the existing models by focusing on healthy growth over pathological explanations.
Carl Rogers criticized Freud for addressing only the 'sick half' of psychology, advocating instead for human potential.

Humanistic Psychology: An approach focusing on understanding behavior by emphasizing subjective experience and the individual's capacity for self-determination.
Free Will: The belief that humans can make choices independently of internal biological or external forces.
Self-Actualisation: The intrinsic desire to grow psychologically and fulfill one's potential, becoming what one is capable of.
Hierarchy of Needs: A five-tier model of human needs proposed by Maslow, structured as follows:
- Physiological Needs: Basic requirements like hunger and shelter must be satisfied first.
- Safety and Security: The need for safety and stability follows.
- Love and Belongingness: Emotional relationships become the next focus.
- Self-Esteem: The appreciation of oneself and confidence comes next.
- Self-Actualisation: The pinnacle of the hierarchy, where one strives to reach their fullest potential.
Self: The ideas and values identifying 'I' and 'me' encompassing perception and value of oneself.
Congruence: A state where the self-concept matches the ideal self, pivotal in Rogerian therapy.
Conditions of Worth: Limits to parental love where affection is only provided under certain conditions, such as performance or meeting expectations.

Maslow's model proposes that to achieve self-actualisation, lower-level needs must first be met.
Physiological needs must be fulfilled before addressing safety and security, followed by love and belongingness, then self-esteem, ultimately enabling movement toward self-actualisation.
Maslow noted that self-actualisation represents the highest motivation in human life and occurs only after all deficiency needs are satisfied.

Rogers emphasized the need for congruence between self-concept (how one sees oneself) and ideal self (the desired self). A significant gap can lead to incongruence, negatively impacting self-actualisation.
Client-centered therapy was developed by Rogers to reduce incongruences and help individuals flourish.
Rogers believed that many adult issues stem from childhood, particularly from a lack of unconditional positive regard from parents. Conditions of worth lead to psychological issues in adulthood.
The role of the therapist includes providing the unconditional positive regard that was lacking in childhood.

Self-actualisation: According to Maslow, experiences of peak achievement foster self-actualisation.
- Example: Notable figures from media or personal experiences may be identified as self-actualisers, demonstrating fulfillment and utilization of their potential.
Consideration of self-actualisers sheds light on personal development and achievement

Not Reductionist:
- A strength of humanistic psychology is its holistic view, opposing reductionist approaches that simplify behavior into smaller components.
- Humanistic psychology aims to understand subjective experience within a broader context, suggesting greater validity in understanding behavior.
Positive Approach:
- Humanistic psychology presents an optimistic perspective on human nature, contrasting with Freud's view of humans being driven by past experiences.
- It views individuals as inherently good and capable of reaching their potential.
Western Cultural Bias:
- A limitation is its cultural bias; key concepts emphasize individualism prevalent in Western cultures, potentially overlooking the perspectives in collectivist societies.
- Collectivist cultures may prioritize community needs over individual growth, questioning the universal applicability of humanistic principles.
Limited Application:
- Critics argue that humanistic psychology lacks practical application compared to other psychological approaches.
- Despite this, Rogers' therapies transformed counseling techniques and Maslow's hierarchy is widely applied in explaining motivations, especially in workplace settings.

Rogers developed client-centered therapy (also known as person-centered therapy), emphasizing a non-directive approach where the therapist provides support without directing treatment.
Key attributes of an effective therapist include genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard, which aim to improve self-worth and facilitate personal growth.
Rogers’ methods have significantly influenced modern psychotherapy and counseling in various settings, including health, education, and social work.
However, while effective for mild psychological conditions, this approach may not be suitable for severe disorders like schizophrenia.

Critical evaluations urge a discussion on the effectiveness of counseling in dealing with severe psychological issues.
Engaging with examples, such as Joyce, highlights the impact of humanistic concepts on individual lives and personal growth.

What do humanistic psychologists mean by "conditions of worth"? (3 marks)
Outline and briefly evaluate the influence of humanistic psychology on counselling. (5 marks)
Discuss Maslow's hierarchy of needs with an emphasis on self-actualisation. (8 marks)
Compare humanistic psychology with the psychodynamic approach. (16 marks)