Humanistic Flashcards
What are the basic assumptions of the approach?
Focuses on the idea that humans are inherently good, unique and have free will over their behaviour
When did the approach emerge?
1950s
Who’s work was the approach largely based on?
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
What is free will?
The notion that humans can make choices and are not determines by biological or external forces. This does not mean that people are not affected by external or internal influences but we are active agents who have the ability to determine our own development.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualisation
Maslow (1908-1970) believed that all humans are driven to be the best possible version of themselves, known as ‘self actualisation’. Before we can do this though, we must meet a number of other needs.
Hierarchy of Needs - original 5-stage hierarchy
Bottom - Physiological needs –> Safety needs –> Belongingness and love needs –> Esteem needs –> Self-actualisation - Top
Focus on the self, congruence, and the role of conditions of worth
Rogers pointed out that individuals strive to achieve their ideal selves because they are motivated towards self-improvement. In order for this to happen, the self (the way that the individuals see themselves) must be more or less in line with their ideal self (who they want to be) - congruence
Why is congruence important?
Congruence is important in maintaining a positive view of the self. If the gap between the self and the ideal self is too big, this is known as incongruence and causes significant distress and damage to feelings of self-worth. Which will stop self-actualisation
In what ways was Rogers beliefs similar to Freud?
Believed that issues in adulthood often stem from childhood experiences. Believes that the lack of unconditional positive regard from parents can cause issues of low self-esteem and negative feelings of self-worth.
What is the influence of this approach on counselling psychology?
Client centered therapy (CCT) aims to encourage the client to develop positive self-regard and overcome the mismatch between their perceived self, true self and ideal self
What are the main assumptions and goals of CCT?
Operates according to three basic principles that reflect the attitude of the the therapist to the client:
The therapist is congruent with the client,
The therapist provides the client with unconditional positive regard,
The therapist shows an empathetic understanding to the client
How is CCT done?
Q-Sort assessment - way of assessing the self concept and the ideal self. Is used before and after therapy.
An individual is presented with a deck of 100 cards each of which contains a personal statement about the client. The individual decides which statement best describes them. Same procedure followed for their ideal self. Therapist statistically works out the gap between the self and the ideal self by use of correlation
Strengths of humanistic psychology?
- Acknowledges freewill
- Positive view of human behaviour
- Holistic
