Approaches In Psychology - The Humanistic Approach Flashcards
Who proposed the humanistic approach?
Maslow & Rodgers
Does the humanistic approach include free will?
Yes, it claims that humans are self determining & have free will & although people can still be affected by internal/external forces they are also active agents who can determine their own development
Is the humanistic approach a scientific one & what do Maslow & Rodgers say about psychology?
No. Maslow & Rodgers reject the scientific models to explain human behaviour and say that we’re all unique so psychology should concern itself with the study of subjective experiences (aka - person-centred approach)
What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
A hierarchy of needs that motivate our behaviour with the main aim being to achieve the primary goal of self-actualisation but all of the other needs should be met 1st
What is the order of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs from bottom to top?
Physiological (water/food), safety & security, love & belongingness, self-esteem & self actualisation
What is self-actualisation & why is it important?
The desire to grow psychologically & fulfil one’s potential (aka becoming what you’re capable of). It is regarded as important by humanistic psychologists as personal growth is an essential part of being human
What did Rodgers say has to happen for someone to achieve personal growth?
The self must have congruence with the ideal self
What happens if the gap between the self & the ideal self is too large?
The person will experience incongruence & self actualisation won’t be possible due to negative feelings of self worth
What is the self?
The ideas & values that characterise ‘I’ & ‘me’ & includes perceptions & values of what ‘I am’ & what ‘I can do’
What is congruence?
The aim of Rogerian theory when the self-concept & the ideal self are seen to match
How does Rodgers say the gap between the ideal self & the self-concept can be closed & how does it help?
Client-centred therapy (counselling) which helps people to cope with everyday problems.
What was the cause of many issues presented by adults according to Rodgers?
A lack of unconditional positive regard (unconditional love) + conditions of worth
What are conditions of worth?
When a parent places limits/boundaries on their love for their children
What are some strengths of the humanistic approach?
Not reductionist -> behaviour isnt reduced into simple stimulus-response units (behaviourism) or explained in terms of computers, this approach advocates for holism (looking at the whole individual to be able to understand their subjectivwe experiences) - more valid
Positive approach -> an optimistic approach as the person has been brought back into psychology & it promotes a positive image of the human condition as opposed to Freud seeing people as a prisoner of their past. Humans are seen as good & able to achieve their full potential - suggests an optimistic alternative than other approaches.
What are some limitations of the humanistic approach?
Not empirical -> due to being subjective, behaviour cannot be broken down into independent & dependent variables which means very few concepts can be tested, therefore the approach is short on evidence to support it’s claims
Cultural bias -> this approach emphasises the importance of self-actualisation & individual freedom which is associated with individualistic cultures (e.g. the US), therefore this explanation may not be as important in collectivist cultures as they tend to emphasise the needs of the group & interdependence so this approach may not be universal
