Approaches - humanistic approach Flashcards
Humanistic psychology
An approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each person’s capacity for self determination
4 key assumptions of humanistic psychology
- explain each one
Every individual is unique - no point trying to generalise to groups as there are too many differences within groups
We have free will - the notion that humans can make choices and their behaviour/thoughts are not determined by internal biological or external forces
People should be viewed holistically - no point in looking at just one aspect of an individual, as this could miss other reasons for distress
The scientific method is not appropriate to measure behaviour - tries to be too objective, yet humans are subjective in the way they think and behave
Maslow - Hierahcy of needs (lowest to highest)
The lower needs must be met first before a person can move on to the higher needs leading to self actualisation
- Physiological needs: food, water, warmth, rest
- Safety: security, safety
- Love and belongingness: Intimate, relationships, friends
- Self esteem: Prestige, feeling of accomplishment
- Self actualisation: Achieving one’s potential , including creative activities
Carl Rodgers - focus on self
Which 3 selves need to be integrated to achieve self actualisation? (explain each one)
Self concept - the self you feel you are, is the root of your self esteem. If you have low self esteem you will have a low concept of yourself. Some may have a distorted view of themselves
Ideal self - self you wish to be. Who you are aiming towards becoming or already there
Real self - person you actually are, not who you think you are or wish you were -> subjectivity
Congruence
The aim of Rogerian therapy, when the self-concept and idea self are seen to broadly accord or match
Rodgers - personal growth requires an individual’s concept of self to be congruent with their ideal self
Too big of a gap-> experience state of incongruence and self actualisation isn’t possible
Conditions of worth
Issues such as worthlessness and low self esteem have their roots in childhood and are due to a lack of unconditional positive regard from our parents
A parent who sets boundaries on their love for their child (conditions of worth) by claiming ‘I will only love you if…’ is storing up psychological problems for the child in the future
Strengths of the humanistic approach (2)
- Hierarchy linked to economic development
- Takes a holistic approach to human behaviour
Strength of the humanistic approach: Hierarchy linked to economic development
- explain this
P:One strength of the humanistic approach is that ideas such as Maslow’s hierarchy might be applicable to more than simply personal development.
E: Hagerty, for example, examined 88 nations and discovered that those in the later stages of economic development were more focused on self-actualization needs (focused on achievement), while those in the earlier stages were characterised by lower level needs (biological, such as food).
EThis is a strength because it shows how humanistic concepts can be used for understanding not just the needs of an individual but also the needs of other nations and the disparities in cultural goals and areas.
L: This demonstrates how the humanistic method can be used to make generalisation to the wider population
Strength of the humanistic approach: Takes a holistic approach to human behaviour
- explain this
P: The humanistic approach’s emphasis on holisticexplanations is one of its key advantages.
E: Whereas other techniques, such as the behaviourist approach, frequently reduce complex human experiences to reductionist concepts like stimulus-response connections, the humanistic approach frequently opposes any attempts to break down behaviour into smaller component pieces.
E: This is astrengthsince the humanistic approach recognises and values the complexity of the human condition and, as a result, holds that people are the result of subjective experiences rather than predetermined behavioural norms.
L: This strengthens the humanistic approach’s credibility by highlighting the complexity of human action in everyday contexts.
Limitations of the humanistic approach (2)
- Cultural bias
- Theories are difficult to test scientifically
Limitation of the humanistic approach: Cultural bias
- explain this
P: Humanistic approach has been criticised for being culturally biased
E: many of the ideas that are central to humanistic psychology (individual autonomy/personal growth) are western individualistic cultural values.
E: Nevis challenged Maslows hierarchy of needs as the research found in China belongingness was deemed more fundamental than physiological needs.
L: This therefore shows that the humanistic approach does not apply universally and is a product of the cultural context within which it was developed
Limitation of the humanistic approach: Theories are difficult to test scientifically
- explain this
P: A weakness is the difficulty in testing theories scientifically
E: The majority of the humanistic approach’s study focuses on difficult-to-measure and operationalize ideas, like unconscious mind conflicts. The fact that such broad concepts can only be studied via self-report and non-experimental techniques is a challenge. Consequently, difficult to verify
E: This is a flaw since it might be challenging to determine the causal relationship between ideas like ego protection systems and actual behaviour. It might be argued that because they are difficult to quantify, they are also difficult to test and disprove, whichhighlights the humanistic approach’s lack of scientific rigour.
L: As a result, the method has been referred to as a pseudoscience and diminished psychology’s credibility as a science
