Approaches: Humanistic

Question 1

Assumptions : humanistic approach

Answer 1

subjective experiences are important
humans should be views as a whole and not reduced to parts. science is reductionist.
Each person is unique -science focuses on developing general and universal laws.
Humans have free will and are self determining
We are also affected by external and internal influences but we have free agents as we are all unique and subjective.
Person centred approach

Question 2

Self actualisation

Answer 2

everyone has an innate tendency to achieve their full potential and become your best self
Self actualisation represents the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
All four levels of hierarchy must be met before the individual can work towards self actualisation and fulfill their potential
Humanistic psychologists regard personal growth as essential to being human

Question 3

What is the aim of Maslows hierarchy of needs

Answer 3

Theory of motivation that states 5 categories of human need to dictate ones behaviour
States that people can only meet their full potential and self actualise if their basic needs are met.

Question 4

maslows hierarchy of needs

Answer 4

Self-actualisation =

Esteem needs =

Belongingness + love needs =

Safety needs =

Psychological needs =

Question 5

belief of free will in humanistic approach (3)

Answer 5

Humans are self determining and have free will
We are also affected by external (nurture) and internal influences but we have free agents as we are all unique and subjective.
Person centred approach

Question 6

self, congruence and conditions of worth
what is the ideal and actual self
and how to close the gap

Answer 6

Self, congruence and conditions of worth
( For personal growth to be achieved a persons concept of self must be equivalent to their ideal self)
If the gap between yourself and your ideal self is too big, then the person will experience a state of incongruence and self actualisation will not be possible due to negative feelings of self worth.
To reduce the gap:
Client centred therapy to help people cope w everyday
Issues we experience as adults eg worthlessness and low self esteem are rooted from childhood and can be explained by lack of unconditional positive regard ( lack of unconditional love)

Maslows hierarchy of needs:
Theory of motivation that states 5 categories of humanneed
needs to dictate ones behaviour.

Question 7

how does Maslows client cantered therapy work
what is it for / goal of it

Answer 7

If the gap between yourself and your ideal self is too big, then the person will experience a state of incongruence and self actualisation will not be possible due to negative feelings of self worth.
To reduce the gap:
Client centred therapy to help people cope w everyday
Issues we experience as adults eg worthlessness and low self esteem are rooted from childhood and can be explained by lack of unconditional positive regard ( lack of unconditional love)

Question 8

strengths 3
limitations 3
of the humanistic ( maslows theory ) approach

Answer 8

Strengths:

Holistic:
Not reductionist; reject breakup of behaviour and experience into smaller components
Behaviourists explain human and animal learning as a stimuli and response theory
Advocate holistic approach: idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering whole person.
Means there is higher external validity as it considers a whole and real human experience.
Positive image
Positive image of human condition, optimistic and more hopeful

Some application to real life
Has resulted in Roger’s CCT which has formed the basis for most other therapy’s and a positive basis for therapy
Also, although it is based on individualistic concepts they can be altered for different cultures. Although it’s about the self, collectivist cultures can still learn to reach self actualisation together

Limitations:
1. Not scientific:
Lacks sound evidence base and is too conceptual not a theory as a whole idea- no empirical evidence
Untestable concepts, may be useful therapeutic tools but not for studying or experimenting. Self actualisation/ ideal self is hard and subjective to measure.
2. Cultural bias
Cultural bias: only applies to individualist cultured like USA but India/ china are collectivist culture as they emphasises the needs and values of group and community. Things like CCT might not work as productively as they promote idiographic studies of humans.
3. Idiographic approach
scientists cant use this approach in experiments.
subjective to each individual
deny reductionist thinking