Approaches - Humanistic approach

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the humanistic approach?

Answer 1

• We all have free will.
• Personal growth is a desirable goal for all people.
• The aim of this approach is not objectivity as the other approaches; its aim is to understand people’s subjectivity.
• People are self-determining, which means that they have free will they can make choices about the way they think and act. These choices are not determined by biological or other external factors.

Question 2

What are the stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 2

Self-actualisation
Esteem
Love/belonging
Safety
Physiological

Question 3

What are examples of physiological needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 3

Breathing
Food
Water
Reproductive sex
Sleep
Homeostasis
Excretion

Question 4

What are examples of safety needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 4

Security of body
Security of employment
Security of resources
Security of morality
Security of the family
Security of health
Security of property

Question 5

What are examples of love/belonging needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 5

Friendship
Family
Sexual intimacy

Question 6

What are examples of esteem needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 6

Self-esteem
Confidence
Achievement
Respect of others
Respect by others

Question 7

What are examples of self-actualisation needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 7

Morality
Creativity
Spontaneity
Problem solving
Lack of prejudice
Acceptance of facts

Question 8

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the Humanistic approach?

Answer 8

Maslow believed humans are motivated by needs beyond those of basic biological survival.
The desire to grow and develop to achieve full potential is fundamental to human nature -referred to as self-actualisation.
All four lower levels of the hierarchy must be met before an individual can work towards self-actualisation.
All of the levels are referred to as deficiency needs; apart from self-actualisation which is a growth need.

Question 9

What is the concept of self?

Answer 9

The way you see yourself.

Question 10

What is the ideal self?

Answer 10

The person you want yourself to be.

Question 11

What is congruence?

Answer 11

When the self-concept and ideal self are seen to match or be similar.

Question 12

What is unconditional positive regard?

Answer 12

Providing affection and respect without any requirements.

Question 13

What are conditions of worth?

Answer 13

When a parent places limits or boundaries on their love for their children.

Question 14

How might praise lead to a child feeling they don’t have unconditional positive regard from their parent?

Answer 14

If the praise seems based on a particular behaviour, then it may be implied that without the behaviour the child won’t be loved.

Question 15

What is in involved in Rogers’ client-centred therapy in the humanistic approach?

Answer 15

The therapist provides genuineness, empathy and the unconditional positive regard that may have been missing in the client’s childhood.
The client is encouraged to develop positive self-regard and reduce the gap between their perceived self and ideal self (achieve congruence).

Question 16

What is Q-SORT in the humanistic approach?

Answer 16

A series of personal statements which allow degree of congruence to be measured.
The person rates from 1-7 how well the statements fit their perceived self, and then their ideal self.
Congruence can be measured by comparing the two overall ratings before, during and after therapy to show progress.

Question 17

What are the strengths of the humanistic approach?

Answer 17

Emphasises choice - people are empowered to make positive changes in their own life. It may encourage a more internal locus of control and people taking responsibility for their lives.

Holistic - it studies the whole person in their wider social context, this can provide a fuller and therefore more valid picture.

It has contributed to psychological theories and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of some disorders such as depression and stress.

Has applications for client-centred therapy. Q-SORT allows progress to be measured and is more objective than a purely talking therapy.

Question 18

What are the limitations of the humanistic approach?

Answer 18

Not scientific - psychology is seen as a science.

Untestable concepts can’t be empirically observed therefore the approach can never be scientific.

Cultural bias - psychology aims to be universal but it can’t be if it is culturally bias and can’t be valid to apply the theory to people from collectivist cultures.

Applications may not be suitable for everyone. People with schizophrenia cannot benefit from therapy. Therapy is collaborative and people wouldn’t cooperate enough to benefit or even trust their therapist. So it’s limited and can’t be used for everyone.

Question 19

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 19

All people have an innate tendency towards growth and the fulfilment of their potential, they have a desire to become everything that they are capable of.

However, according to Maslow, people also have needs which must be met for self-actualisation to be possible. The basic needs e.g. food and water have to be satisfied before the higher.
Self-actualisation is only possible if there is congruence between the way an individual sees themselves and their ideal self (the way they want to be or think they should be).

Question 20

What are the applications of the humanistic approach?

Answer 20

Based on this approach, client-centred therapy aims to increase clients’ self-worth and decrease the incongruence between the self-concept and the ideal self.
It is a non-directive therapy in which the client is encouraged to discover their own solutions to their difficulties in an atmosphere that is supportive and non-judgemental and that provides unconditional positive regard.
It focuses on the present rather than dwell on the past unlike psychoanalysis. This therapy is widely used e.g. health, education and industry.