Approaches (AS): Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Who proposed the humanistic approach?

Answer 1

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow

Question 2

What are the basic assumptions of the humanistic approach?

Answer 2

Humanistic approach suggests that all humans are self-determining and have free will

Rodgers and Maslow reject scientific models trying to create general laws

Opt for a person-centred approach focused on individual and subjective experiences

Recognises outside influences but that we are not restricted by them

A nomothetic approach; every person is unique

Question 3

What is free will?

Answer 3

the notion that humans can choose their behaviour and they are not determined by internal biological or external forces.

Question 4

What does Maslow’s theory of motivation emphasise?

Answer 4

the importance of personal growth as an essential part of being human

Question 5

What is Self Actualisation?

Answer 5

the desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one’s full potential/ becoming what you are capable of in which every person has an innate tendency to do

Question 6

what are the 5 stages of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 6

-physiological needs
- health and safety
-love and belonging
-esteem
-self actualisation

Question 7

how does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs apply to real life?

Answer 7

This theory is applicable to the workplace of organisational structures and motivation of employees. To enhance performance, the organisational culture and strategies must address and fulfil the needs of employees

Question 8

what is the self?

Answer 8

people’s perception of themselves as a person.

Question 9

Rogers believed that people had two basic needs, what are they?

Answer 9

to achieve unconditional positive regard from other people and to achieve a feeling of self- worth through having a positive regard of oneself.

Question 10

how does the feeling of self worth develop?

Answer 10

through the interactions the child has with their parents; which developed conditions of worth as well as contact with significant other figures in their lives as they develop such as friends and intimate partners.

Question 11

what is the self concept?

Answer 11

this was how people felt they were as a person. Self- esteem is closely linked to this self-concept as people with low self-esteem would view their self-concept as poor and have a low regard for their own ability.

Question 12

what is the ideal self?

Answer 12

the version of themselves people wished to be and who they are working towards becoming.

Question 13

what is the real self?

Answer 13

the person people really are (rather than felt or thought they were).

Question 14

what is congruence?

Answer 14

when a person’s ideal self and self-concept are seen as the same/overlap

Question 15

what is unconditional positive regard?

Answer 15

a person must be loved for who they are by someone else unconditionally and this may come from parents, other family members or even friends or partners.

Question 16

what is the conditions of worth?

Answer 16

the requirements a person perceives significant others have put upon them and they need to meet in order to be loved and accepted.

Question 17

The humanistic approach and the work of Carl Rogers has led to what?

Answer 17

the client-centred approach with therapists focusing on building a relationship with clients and making them feel comfortable and accepted so they feel unconditional positive regard.

Question 18

what did Elliott (2002) found that humanistic therapies do?

Answer 18

showed significant improvement in patients when compared to control groups and this effectiveness has led to a resurgence of the humanistic approach within counselling psychology.

Question 19

what are the strengths of the humanistic approach?

Answer 19

• Emphasises free will when choosing behaviour
• The approach aims to find an alternative approach to scientific psychology (concentrates on the subjective experiences of individuals and its meaning which cannot be studied in experiments)

-It’s the only approach in psychology which places the individual’s subjective experience and meanings at the centre

-It is not reductionist- Individual is not seen as the product of neurons firing or stimulus-response links

-It is holistic- Places focus on the whole of the individual

-Client-Centred Therapy (CCT) is supportive of individuals with problems and treats them with respect- it is seen as a non-directive form of therapy
Views the person as an active agent

-Client-Centred Therapy is used by psychologists and counsellors in therapy today

Question 20

what are the weaknesses of the humanistic approach?

Answer 20

-It is too positive when regarding human behaviour

• There is too much emphasis on subjective experience- Hard to study
• Approach is not scientific- Does not use any objective methods
• Client-Centred Therapy is of limited help for individuals with complex disorders

-Hard to falsify