Essay - Humanism

Question 1

What is humanism chiefly concerned with

Answer 1

What it means to be human

Question 2

How did humanist theory develop

Answer 2

Began in 1950s as a reaction against behaviourism and psychoanalysis theories

Question 3

What did humanists believe?

Answer 3

The internal feels and thoughts of the individual were paramount in learning, well being and motivation

Question 4

Name two humanist theorists

Answer 4

Carl Rogers

Abraham Maslow

Question 5

What did Maslow fundamentally believe?

Answer 5

That humans have a need for self-actualisation or fulfilment

Question 6

What did Carl Rogers believe?

Answer 6

Believed that people need the freedom to learn, supportive relationships and the individual should be considered important in all aspects of teaching

Question 7

What are the two main levels and sub parts in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 7

Basic needs - Physiological, Safety, Belonginess and love, Self esteem
Growth needs - Cognitive, Aesthetic, Self Actualisation.

Question 8

What did Maslow believ was at the very top of the pyramid?

Answer 8

Transcendence

Question 9

Describe 6 key points of Maslows views on growth and learning

Answer 9

1 Each individual has a unique inner nature
2 Individuals are shaped by experiences and unconscious thought but is not dominated by them
3 Individuals must control most of their behaviours
4 Children should be able to make many choices about their development
5 Parents and teachers must satisfy child’s basic needs
6 Let children grow independently, not shape or control the way they grow

Question 10

What is Carl Rogers approach called?

Answer 10

Freedom to learn

Question 11

What are the 5 aspects of freedom to learn

Answer 11

1. Supportive relationships - With support people could begin to heal themselves
2. Active Listening - by reflecting on the meaning and intention of what children say we can show our understanding
3. Non-directive teaching - children need to be free to develop talents through self directed activities
4. Emotionally supportive climate - teachers must show empathic understanding
5. Always hold a positive view of children - unconditional positive regard

Question 12

What are Rogers three core conditions for facilitative teaching

Answer 12

Congruence in the facilitator
Prizing, acceptance, trust
Empathic understanding

Question 13

Congruence (real ness in the facilitator)

Answer 13

Must be no sense of falseness or pretence on part of the teacher
No front or facade

Question 14

Prizing, acceptance, trust

Answer 14

Prize the student as a learner, their opinions and for who they are
Believe the student is fundamentally trustworthy

Question 15

Empathic, understanding

Answer 15

Ability to understand students perception of learning
The way learning seems to the student
To be understood not evaluation or judged

Question 16

What movement began from humanism

Answer 16

The progressive education movement

Question 17

What is progressive education? Give examples

Answer 17

Child centred education.

Steiner, Summerhill school, Montessori, Reggio Emilia (early)

Question 18

Why was there a decline in popularity of child centred education? (3)

Answer 18

Increasing emphasis on standardised testing and reporting
Concern for student emotion and needs deemed frivolous
Back to basics movements

Question 19

What did research show about humanism (2)

Answer 19

Showed no academic disadvantage.
Fosters cooperation, critical thinking, self reliance, constructive attitudes
Not as radical as some suggest

Question 20

State 4 ways humanist ideas could be used in practice

Answer 20

1. Teacher as facilitator - Not such an uncommon view today, supported by cognitive views of learning
2. Teacher - student relationships - Research demonstrates importance of teacher-student relationship to learning and counselling
3. Belongingness- research demonstrates positive relationship between academic achievement and sense of classroom belonging
4. Motivation - Basic human needs, Research shows that teacher support, warmth and classroom participation are associated with development of intrinsic motivation

Question 21

Name 5 critiques of humanism

Answer 21

1. Is concern for human needs frivolous?
2. Do Maslows needs apply to all people? Does self-actualisation mean the same to everyone ?
3. Original theories contained little guidance for teachers who may lack interpersonal skills to implement ideas
   4/ Do all children have the cognitive skills to plan and negotiate own learning
4. Would these ideas actually help children who really do need direct instruction?

Question 22

What is an inherent contradiction in Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 22

It’s hierarchical nature. Ghandi gave up basic needs to reach transcendence!

Question 23

Name three critiques of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 23

1. Its hierarchical nature - Ghandi gave up basic needs to achieve transcedence!
2. The concept of resilience - Being able to thrive even when in an extremely challenging situation, such as without basic needs.
3. Too many examples of people doing exceptional things despite being deprived of basic needs

Question 24

Example of a Maslow approach in today’s schooling

Answer 24

School breakfast programs

Question 25

Example of a humanism in todays schooling

Answer 25

Gonski 2.0 moving towards a more humanist approach in principle and nature - each child moving at own pace

Question 26

What is PEM

Answer 26

Progressive Education Movement