Approaches: Humanistic Flashcards
how is the humanistic approach self-determining?
the humanistic approach believes we are active agents who have the ability to determine our own development. they reject scientific models that attempt to establish general principles of behaviour. psychology should concern itself with subjective experience.
what’s the idea of self-actualisation?
every person has an innate tendency to achieve their full potential and become the best version of themselves. self-actualisation is the highest level on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, all lower levels need to be complete before self-actualisation can be achieved. personal growth is an essential part of being human, developing and changing as a person to become fulfilled.
what’s Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
physiological needs, safety and security, love and belongingness, self-esteem, self-actualisation
what’s self (Rogers)?
the ideas and values that characterise ‘I’ and ‘Me’ and includes perception and valuing of ‘what I am’ and ‘what I can do’. personal growth can only be achieved if a person’s self is equivilent to congruence.
what’s congruence (Rogers)?
the aim of Rogers’ therapy, when the self-congruent and ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match. if the gap is too big, self-actualisation can’t be achieved.
what’s conditions of worth (Rogers)?
when a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children. this can cause psychological problems for the child.
how is the humanistic approach not reductionist?
it rejects any attempt to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components. behaviourists describe learning as a stimulus-response connections, Freud describes personality as a conflict between the id, ego and superego. cognitive approach sees human as machines. humanist approach is holistic - the idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering the whole person. this makess it more valid.
how does the humanistic approach have limited application? (A03)
it has little real-world application. it’s true Rogers’ therapy has revolutionised counselling techniques and Maslow’s hierachy of needs explains motivation. it has limited impact within the discipline of psychology. it lacks sound evidence-base and is considered a loose set of rather abstract concepts.
how is the humanistic approach a positive approach? (A03)
it’s been praised for ‘bringing the person back into psychology’ and promotes a positive image of the human condition. Freud saw humans as slaves to the past and claimed we existed somewhere between ‘common unhappiness and absolute despair’. this approach offers refreshing and optimistic alternative - sees people as good, free to work towards achievement of their potential.
