Humanistic Approach Research Overview

Overview of the Humanistic Approach

  • Examination of research inspired by the humanistic approach to psychology

  • Encouragement to engage with self-assessment materials during lecture

Research Topics Covered

  • Positive Shrinking: Study focused on weight loss linked to positive thinking.

  • Self Disclosure: Investigating the benefits of sharing personal information with others.

  • Forgiveness: Research exploring forgiveness as a uniquely human trait.

  • Self Esteem: The impact of self-esteem levels on experiences in life.

  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Revisiting Maslow's needs, alongside additional pressing needs noticed throughout life.

  • Learned Helplessness: Insights from research on learned helplessness in dogs and humans.

Humanistic Therapy Focus

  • Meaningful Relationships: Central to humanistic therapies; emphasizes the importance of connections.

    • Existential Psychology & Philosophy: Highlights mortality awareness and its impact on mental health, sometimes leading to existential crises or feelings of despair.

    • Existential Angst: The anxiety stemming from the confrontation with the reality of life’s finite nature.

    • Overcoming Existential Crises: The role of meaningful relationships and life projects in providing a sense of purpose.

    • Significance of Life Projects: Encouraging clients to assess whether they are leading meaningful lives and contributing to future generations (Erikson’s stage of middle life).

  • Empowering Clients to Change:

    • Focus on the present rather than past grievances or future fantasies.

    • Encouragement to take actionable steps to change undesirable aspects of oneself.

Research Study: Positive Shrinking

  • Study Design:

    • Participants: Individuals identified as overweight who desire to lose weight.

    • Two groups created through random assignment without direct diets provided.

  1. Group One:

    • Task: Journal daily for four months about valued aspects of their lives (people, things, experiences).

    • Goal: To reflect on what is valued and why, fostering a positive mindset.

  2. Group Two:

    • Task: Journal daily for four months about trivial subjects that lack personal significance (e.g., rearranging furniture).

    • Goal: To contrast the effects of reflecting on unimportant topics versus meaningful ones.

  • Findings:

    • Average weight loss for Group One (positive reflection): 3.5 pounds over four months.

    • Slight weight gain for Group Two (trivial subjects): 0.5 pounds.

    • Results suggested that focusing on what individuals value leads to healthier eating patterns and an overall appreciation for life.

    • Underlying Theory: Positive reflection enhances mood, reducing emotional eating tendencies and fostering a longer-term commitment to health and well-being.

Implications and Future Considerations

  • Discussion on the longevity of weight loss effects noticed in Group One post-study.

    • Hypothesis: Continued practice of reflective writing could maintain positive mindset and facilitate further health improvements.

    • The notion that established habits may continue beyond initial study duration if participants keep engaging in positive reflection exercises.