Approaches -> Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Basic assumptions of Humanistic Psychology

Answer 1

• Emphasises importance of subjective experience and each person’s capacity for self determination
• Emerged in the 1950s as result of work of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow

Question 2

Free will psychology beliefs

Answer 2

Humanistic psychology suggests that humans have free will
Free will is the view that humans are self determining
According to this view, humans have power to make conscious decisions about their behaviour
Human behaviour is unpredictable
A belief in free will doesn’t deny that there’s internal (biological) and external (environmental) forces that exert some influence on behaviour. ALSO A belief in free will implies that humans are able to reject these forces

Question 3

Why do humanistic psychologists such as Roger’s and Maslow reject psychological research that aims to estsblish general laws of human behaviour

Answer 3

Humanistic psychologists rejects scientific models that attempt to establish general laws of behaviour and instead concerns itself with the study of subjective experience

Question 4

What are the 5 stages of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 4

1. Psychological needs (food, water, warmth, rest)
2. Safety needs (security, safety)
3. Belongingness and love needs (intimate relationship, friends)
4. Esteem needs (prestige and feelings of accomplishment)
5. Self actualisation (achieving one’s full potential, creative activities)

Question 5

Info about Maslow hierarchy of needs

Answer 5

Most basic needs are at the bottom of the pyramid and the most advanced needs are at the top of the pyramid
One level of need must be fulfilled before an individual can move up the next level of need

Question 6

Humanistic approach key word/items

Answer 6

Congruence/Incongruence, Self actualisation
Hierarchy of needs
Maslow, Rogers
Conditions of worth

Question 7

The self definition

Answer 7

• The self refers to how an individual perceives themselves
• Rogers argued for self actualisation to be achieved, the self must be broadly similar to the ideal self
  (Ideal self = how an individual wants to be)
  If too big of a gap is between the two selves, individual experiences state of incongruence -> self actualisation isn’t possible