Humanism, PCT Flashcards
What is the wordhumanism?
Aulus Gellius (125-180):
humanitas- commonly used as a synonym for philanthropy - or kindness and benevolence towards one’s fellow human being
During the French Revolution (1789)and soon after, in Germany humanism began to refer to an ethical philosophy - centered on humankind - …centered on human needs, interest, and abilities rather than the supernatural
What do you know about humanistic approach “third force”?How is humanism defined?
A rationalist outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.
(Oxforddictionary)
Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility.
Free of supernaturalism, it recognises human beings as a - part of nature - and holds that values-be they religious, ethical, social or political-have their source in human experience and culture.
Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human need and interest rather than from theological or ideological abstractions.
(American Humanist Association)
What does HUMANISM representin psychology?Define HUMANISM in psychology.
Represent a perspective thatall people are inherently good.
Holds a holistic approach to human existence.
Focuses on creativity, free will and positive human potential.
It encourages viewing ourselves as a “whole person” greater than the sum of our parts and encourages continuously self exploration.
Tell me something about life of Abraham Maslow. From what conditions does he come from?
- Born in Brooklyn, NY(1908 - 1970)
- oldest of seven children
- his parents were first-generation Jewish immigrants from Kiev(cousins)
- lived in NY and in a multiethnic, working-class neighbourhood
- encounters with anti-Semitic gangs
- The tension with his mother, and eventually developed a strong revulsion
— “My mother was a horrible creature”- remembered as despotic, violent, revengeful and unsupportive, unloving…
Tell me about his education of Abraham Maslow and his start in psychology career, family..
- He grew up in libraries and among books (hiding from mother), developed his love for reading and learning.
- 1926 - taking legal studies classes (hated it, dropped out)
- Universityof Wisconsin - psychology
- 1928 married his cousin Bertha (still in high school at that time)
- psychology training at UW- experimental-behaviorist (Harry Harlow)
- two daughters
Tell me about Abraham Maslow’s psychology
-Experienced WW2 - the horrors of war inspired a vision of peace in him leading to his studies of self-actualising
- The studies began under the supervision of two mentors - Max Wertheimer(whom he admired both professionally and personally) andRuth Benedict(anthropologist)
-> being such wonderful beings, inspired Maslow to take notes about their behaviour
-> lifelong research and thinking about mental health and human potential. He extended the subject, borrowing ideas from other psychologist, adding new ones(concepts of hierarchy of needs, metamotivation,self-actualising persons, peak experiences
Tell me about Abraham Maslow’s humanistic approach (self-actualisation, the Hierarchy of needs)
Concept of self-actualisation:
An innate tendency,
located at the top of hierarchy of human needs,
reguires the active use of all our qualities and abilitiesand
comes after satisfaction of all other needs properly
Personality development- the Hierarchy of needs:
He believed that there are 5 innate needs that activate and direct human behaviour
Tell me about Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs- 5 innate needs - describe
A) Basic needs:
- Physiological needs:food, warmth, water, rest(survival & bodily comfort)
- Safety needs: security, safety (stability, safety in family, society & one’s organisation)
B)Psychologicalneeds:
- Belongingness and love needs:intimate relationships, friends (mutual social & intimate relationships, membership)
- Esteem needs: prestige and feeling of accomplishment(competence, approval, status, sense of achievement)
C)self-fulfilment needs:
- Self-actualisation: achieving one’s full potential, including creative activities (wisdom, discernment, understanding, context for life, self-fulfilment that can lead to a new focus on helping others - not necessarily)
What is Abraham Maslow’sMetamotivation?
It involves maximisingpersonal potentialrather than strivingfora particular goal object
His theory of motivation gave insight on individuals having the ability to be motivated by a calling, mission or life purpose
Most of people are trying to make up for something that is lacking in us.
But self-actualizersare concerned with fulfilling their own potential, with knowing and understanding their environment and themselves.
Maslow’s terminology
- Clear perception of reality
- Acceptance of self, others, nature
- Spontaneity, simplicity, naturalness
- Dedication to a abuse, some kind of work
- Need for independence, autonomy, need for privacy
- Deep interpersonal relationships
- Democratic character structure
- Tolerance and acceptance of others
- Creativeness and originality
-Resistance to social pressures, conformity
Maslow’s PEAK and PLATEAU EXPERIENCES
Moments of extraordinary experience - PEAK EXPERIENCES:
Profound moments of love, understanding, happiness, rapture, during which person feels more whole, alive, self-sufficient and yet a part of the world, more aware of truth, justice, harmony, goodness…
Self-actualizing people are more likely to have peak experiences - reflections of the realisation of one’s human potential
PLATEAU EXPERIENCES:
Intense peak experiences, long-lasting periods of serene being-cognition
Shift from the peak to plateau experience is related to the natural aging process, in which an individual has a shift in life values about what is (not) actually important in life
Overall Maslow’s view on personality
Humanistic&optimistic
Focus on potential and growth rather than weakness or pathology
Power to shape our lives and societies
“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if s/he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.”
Humanistic approach “third force” - descriptions
- Someone’s present functioning is their most significant aspect. Asa result, humanists emphasise the here and now instead of examining the past or attempting to predict the future
2.To be mentally healthy, individuals must take personal responsibility for their action regardless of whether the actions are positive or negative
- Each person, simply by being, is inherently worthy. While any given action may be negative, these actions do not cancel out the value of a person.
- The ultimate goal of living is to attain personal growth and understanding. Only through constant self-improvement and self-understanding can an individual ever be truly happy.
Carl Rogers - person centered therapy;similarities w Maslow’s theory, differences; what are his ideas (PCT)
Carl Rogers (1902-1987)
Similarlyas Maslow - believed we have a tendency towards ACTUALISATION our selves.
The ability to change and improve personality is centred within the person.
Rogers’ theory did not derive from emotionally healthy adults like Maslow but rather university counselling centres.
We are rational beings one way or another ruled by conscious perception
Hedid not put much emphasise on unconscious forces or another psychoanalytical explanations.
He rejected the fact that past events has much of a controlling influence on present decisions and behaviour.
Rogers’ theory did not derive from emotionally healthy adults like Maslow but rather university counselling centers.
He places the responsibility of improvement and getting healthier on the person and not to the therapist (-> person centred)
He believes in the power of conscious thoughts and purposive behaviours to attain change, move from undesirable to desirable.
Carl Rogers - person centered therapy - PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT : (UNCONDITIONAL vs. CONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD, POSITIVE REGARD)
POSITIVE REGARD:
An important aspect of the personality development for Rogers.
Acceptance, love, approval from others, most importantly from mother during infancy, which is persistent and universal.
UNCONDITIONAL vs. CONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD:
Sense of worth and acceptance during development of sense of self.
Conditions of worth is a similar concept to Freud’s superego. Under certain conditions only I am loved and desired and under some, not.
If the child can not take enough unconditional positive regard from the mother then tends to turn to some other place to fulfil it. Ideally, a parent provides the sufficient amount of unconditional positive regard so that the child may develop a sense of positive self-regard too.
