Humanistic

Question 1

Holistic

Answer 1

This is a holistic approach to explaining behaviour. Humanists reject any attempts to break up behaviour into smaller components which other approaches like behaviourism and biological does. For example, the biological psychologists reduce emotions and feelings down to chemicals or genes, such as serotonin which is linked to depression. This means humanistic approach is less reductionist as it considers complexities in human behaviour.

Question 2

Over idealised

Answer 2

However this approach is over idealised as a view of human behaviour. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states everyone’s goal is self actualisation, however it is a rare thing and people who fulfil their potential are remarkable. This is over idealised and it is not clear on how you measure self actualisation. Therefore it is an unrealistic goal to achieve.

Question 3

Research support for condition of worth

Answer 3

There has been research support for conditions of worth. Harter found that teens who feel they have to fulfil certain conditions in order to gain their parents approval end up not liking themselves. This is because they are creating a false self to meet others expectations and their conditions of worth, so are more likely to lose touch with own true self. This supports the fact that they were in a state of incongruence and were trying to close the gap between real and ideal self in an unhealthy way

Question 4

Rejects scientific methods

Answer 4

However, this approach rejects the use of scientific methods. By taking s holistic view point on behaviour, much of this approach is theoretical. This means it is difficult to measure different aspects of this approach scientifically. Therefore this does not support psych as a science.

Question 5

Useful counselling

Answer 5

there have been useful influence on counselling in the development of Roger’s client centred therapy. He believed that an individuals psychological problems were a direct result of their conditions of worth they receive from other people. Person centred counsellors provide unconditional positive regard to the client, and the result is the client moving towards acceptance of their true self. This successful therapy provides useful applications of one of the main assumptions of humanistic

Question 6

Supports free will

Answer 6

This also supports free will, and humanistic psychologists endorse the idea that people are capable of choosing their own actions. This puts emphasis on how everyone is unique and how we should understand people’s subjectivity. Therefore this shows we are not stimulus response mechanisms, and this aspect has allowed humanistic psychology to be praised for “bringing the person back into psychology