Humanistic

Question 1

what are humanistic theories concerned with?

Answer 1

Human experiences, uniqueness, meaning, freedom and choice.

Question 2

what do they propose about human behaviour?

Answer 2

We have free will - humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces.

Question 3

what type of agents are we?

Answer 3

We are active agents who have the ability to determine our own development

Question 4

what does maslow propose?

Answer 4

A hierarchy of needs

Question 5

what are the 5 levels of maslow’s hierarchy?

Answer 5

Physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualization.

Question 6

what does maslow believe?

Answer 6

Humans are motivated by needs beyond those of basic biological survival.

Question 7

what is self-actualization?

Answer 7

Our desire grow and develop to achieve our full potential.

Question 8

what must happen before you work towards self actualization?

Answer 8

All four levels of the hierarchy must be met.

Question 9

what is a criticism of maslow’s hierarchy?

Answer 9

It is difficult to measure/test as it is different for everyone.

Question 10

what does the self concept include?

Answer 10

Ideal self – the person we wish to be
Actual self (real self) – the person we are

Question 11

what is congruence?

Answer 11

A healthy sense of wellbeing is established if an individual maintains a reasonable consistency between ideal self and actual behaviour.

Question 12

what is incongruence?

Answer 12

The gap between ideal self and actual self

Question 13

what can incongruence lead to?

Answer 13

Low self-worth and maladjustment.

Question 14

what can defence mechanisms do?

Answer 14

Defence mechanisms (distortion, denial, blocking) can stop the self from growing and changing, and widen the gulf between our ideal self and true self.

Question 15

what are conditions of worth?

Answer 15

A parent who sets boundaries or limits on their love for their child is storing up psychological problems for that child in the future.

Question 16

what is the humanistic approaches main application?

Answer 16

Therapeutic treatment.

Question 17

what are the 2 types of therapy?

Answer 17

CCT (Client Centred Therapy)
Gestalt Therapy

Question 18

what is cct?

Answer 18

The client is encouraged to develop positive self-regard and overcome the mismatch between their actual self and ideal self.

Question 19

what is the aim of gestalt therapy?

Answer 19

The aim is to help the client become a ‘whole’ (gestalt) person by getting them to accept every aspect of themselves.

Question 20

what techniques are used on gestalt therapy?

Answer 20

Techniques of gestalt therapy include confrontation, dream analysis, and role playing.

Question 21

what is an effective therapist?

Answer 21

Able to provide clients with the unconditional positive regard they had failed to receive as children.

Question 22

how do they view individuals?

Answer 22

Holistically, as if you take a reductionist approach, who the person really is can be lost.

Question 23

what is wrong with the scientific approach?

Answer 23

It is too objective and inflexible - humans are subjective with their thoughts and behaviours.

Question 24

3 strengths of the humanistic approach

Answer 24

• enabled psychologists to explore human existence with more sensitivity than the more scientific methods as it is idiographic and holistic
• real life contribution as psychological theories have been shown to be effective in the treatment of some disorders such as depression and stress
• positive approach to behaviour

Question 25

2 weaknesses of the humanistic approach

Answer 25

• the use of qualitative techniques has been questioned as they are not scientific or measurable - subjective nature of the approach - due to the vagueness of such terms as ‘self-actualisation’ and fully-functioning person’, little empirical research has been carried out – untestable concepts
• not all cultures share the assumption that individual achievement brings fulfilment. therefore to apply this approach to all people would demonstrate cultural bias.