Humanist Approach - Maslow

Question 1

What are the key assumptions for the humanist approach?

Answer 1

• Psychology should study the whole person
• people have free will
• scientific methods are too objective and don’t acknowledge the subjective individual experiences

Question 2

What is shown by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 2

• basic needs are at the bottom, advanced needs are at the top
• each level must be fulfilled before a person can move to a higher need
• the more basic the need to more powerfully it is experienced and harder to ignore

Question 3

What are the 5 needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (from top to bottom)?

Answer 3

1. Self-actualisation (self-fulfilment)
2. Esteem needs (physiological)
3. Loving and Belongingness (physiological)
4. Safety needs (basic)
5. Physiological needs (basic)

Question 4

When does self-actualisation occur?

Answer 4

When a person reaches their full potential and is the best version of themselves.

Question 5

What did Maslow suggest about self-actualisation?

Answer 5

• tended to be more creative, accepting of others, and accurate perception of other
• experienced in ‘peaks’

Question 6

What did Rogers (1951) claim?

Answer 6

People have two basic needs:

• positive regard from other people
• feelings of self-worth

Question 7

How does self-worth develop?

Answer 7

• results from interactions with parents

- further interactions with significant others in adulthood also have an influence

Question 8

What are the two types of positive regard?

Answer 8

• unconditional

- conditional

Question 9

What is unconditional positive regard?

Answer 9

When a person is accepted for who they are no matter what.

Question 10

What is conditional positive regard?

Answer 10

• an individual believes they have to meet certain conditions to be accepted by others
• self-acceptance is experienced only if they meet the expectations set by others

Question 11

What is congruence?

Answer 11

When a persons’ perceived self is similar to their ideal self.

Question 12

Describe Counselling Therapy.

Answer 12

• Rogers claimed psychological problems were a direct result of conditional regard
• therapists provide unconditional positive regard; creates a supportive environment
• dissolves client’s conditions of worth
• results in client moving towards their true self

Question 13

Evaluate the Humanist Approach.

Answer 13

(+) Accounts for individual differences

(-) Believes in free will. Goes against the science of determinism.

(-) Lacks scientific rigour; proposed to study individual as a whole. Holistic.

(-) Only applicable to individualistic cultures (not collectivists).

(-) criticised bc it presents an overly idealised and unrealistic view of human nature.