Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Outline the principles of humanistic psychology.

Answer 1

• We are still affected by external and internal influences but we are active agents and we are all unique. Humanistic psychologists argue we are ‘self-determining’ as we have free-will and the ability for self-direction.
• Humanistic psychologists argue we should study subjective experiences rather than try to make general laws

Question 2

Ouline Maslow’s heirarchy of needs.

Answer 2

From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization.

We cannot move up the hierarchy until the needs at the deficiency level have been met

Question 3

Outline Roger’s ideas about the self and conditions of worth.

Answer 3

Self-congruence - If a person’s self-concept and ideal self closely match

Incongruence – if a person’s self-concept and ideal self do not closely match – the person will feel unhappy because they are not fulfilling their potential. Self-actualisation will not be possible as the person will have negative self-worth and low self-esteem.

Conditions of worth - Parents who impose conditions of worth on their children make love conditional (instead of receiving unconditional positive regard). This leads to low self-esteem.

Roger’s theory led to the development of Client Centred Therapy (counselling) where the aim is to reduce the effects of a lack of unconditional positive regard.

Question 4

What are the strengths of the humanistic approach?

Answer 4

+ Real world applications – Roger’s theory of self led to the development of client centred therapy (counselling) which can be used to treat depression

+ Real world application – Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been used to explain for example motivation within the workplace

+ Positive approach – the approach see’s people as basically good and can make a positive impact on their own lives

Question 5

What are the weaknesses of the humanistic approach to psychology?

Answer 5

• Counterpoint: Methodological issues – it looks at subjective experiences and therefore is difficult to test
• Counterpoint: Western cultural bias – the approach was developed in America which is an individualistic culture and promotes personal growth more than collectivist cultures such as China which are more interdependent. Therefore, we cannot apply the approach cross-culturally
• Counterpoint: Too positive – does not take into account that some people are not good for example, cannot explain criminality.

Question 6

Is the approach nature or nurture?

Answer 6

Nurture

Question 7

Is the approach free will or determinism?

Answer 7

Free will

Question 8

Is the approach reductionist or holistic?

Answer 8

Holistic

Question 9

Is the approach nomothetic or idiographic?

Answer 9

Idiographic

Question 10

Is the approach scientific or unscientific?

Answer 10

Unscientific