approaches -humanistic psychology

Question 1

what is the humanistic approach based on?

Answer 1

.free will -humans have the freedom to chose our behaviours

Question 2

what does the humanistic approach focus on?

Answer 2

.subjective experience of unique individuals -rejects scientific methods that create general laws
.focus on the self

Question 3

what is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 3

.a theory of motivation -we have all an innate tendency to want to achieve our full potential (self actualisation)

Question 4

what are the parts of maslows hierarchy of needs?

Answer 4

.physiological
.safety
.love/belonging
.esteem
.self-actualisation

Question 5

what is congruence?

Answer 5

.a close fit/match between our ideal-self and perceived- self. Client centred therapy (CTT) is to enhance congruence (‘close the gap’).
.this helps to achieve self-actualisation (Rogers).

Question 6

what are conditions of worth?

Answer 6

perception that acceptance from others depends on meeting their expectations.

Question 7

how has the humanistic approach influenced therapy?

Answer 7

.rogers’ Client centred therapy (CTT) is non-directive, provides genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard.
.the aim is to help people overcome conditions of worth, increase self-worth and reduce incongruence (closing the gap between ideal-self and perceived-self ).

Question 8

what is a strength to the humanistic approach?

Answer 8

.holistic and person-centred approach, giving greater validity by focusing on the self and free will it implies the capacity to grow and improve.

Question 9

what are the negatives to the humanistic approach?

Answer 9

.untestable concepts -vague, abstract concepts that are difficult to operationalise eg: conditions of worth
.western culture bias -more associated with individualism. The focus on the self seen as self-indulgent in collectivist cultures and it doesn’t travel well