13. The Humanistic Approach AO1

Question 1

What is the humanistic approach?

Answer 1

Rejects attempts to establish scientific principles of human behaviour
States we’re all unique - psychology should be concerned with study of subjective experience not general laws (a person centred approach)

Question 2

What concept is central in the humanistic approach?

Answer 2

Free will

Question 3

What makes the humanistic approach different to other approaches?

Answer 3

All the other approaches are determinist to some degree

Question 4

What does determinist mean?

Answer 4

behavior shaped by forces over which we have no control.

Question 5

Outline the structure of the hierarchy of needs

Answer 5

1. Self-actualisation (Top)
2. Esteem
3. Love/belonging
4. Safety
5. Physiological

Question 6

Who created the hierarchy of needs?

Answer 6

Maslow

Question 7

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 7

The innate tendency that people have to want to achieve their full potential and become they best they can

Question 8

How can self-actualisation be achieved?

Answer 8

The four lower levels must be met before working towards self-actualisation

Question 9

Outline an example of esteem in the hierarchy of needs

Answer 9

Confidence, achievement, respect from others

Question 10

Outline an example of love/belonging in the hierarchy of needs

Answer 10

Friendship, family, sexual intimacy

Question 11

Outline an example of safety in the hierarchy of needs

Answer 11

Employment, health, family

Question 12

Outline an example of physiological in the hierarchy of needs

Answer 12

Breathing, food, water

Question 13

What is the aim of therapy?

Answer 13

To establish congruence between the self-concept and the ideal self

Question 14

What did Rogers argue?

Answer 14

Personal growth requires an individual’s concept of self to be congruent with their ideal self

If the gap is too big, person will experience state of incongruence and self-actualisation isn’t impossible

Question 15

Outline the effects of parents

Answer 15

Issues such as worthlessness and low self-esteem root from childhood and are due to lack of unconditional positive regard from parents

E.g. A parent setting boundaries of their love - ‘I will only love you if…’ is storing up psychological problems for child’s future

Question 16

What has the humanistic approached influenced?

Answer 16

Counselling psychology

Question 17

According to Rogers, what three things should an effective therapist provide their client with?

Answer 17

1. Genuineness
2. Empathy
3. Unconditional positive regard

Question 18

What is the aim of counselling psychology?

Answer 18

To increase feelings of self-worth and reduce incongruente between the self-concept and the ideal self

Question 19

How did Rogers’ work transform psychotherapy?

Answer 19

Non-directive counselling techniques are practiced not only in clinical settings but in education and industries