Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Basic Assumptions

Answer 1

• The humanistic movement developed in America in the early 1950s
• It was termed the ‘third force’ since it aimed to replace the two main approaches – behaviorism and psychoanalysis.
• Humanism was intended to offer a less deterministic approach and emphasized conscious experience rather than behaviour and the use of experimental methods.
• Concerned with human experiences, uniqueness, meaning, freedom, and choice.

Question 2

Free will

Answer 2

• Humanists believe in the notion that humans make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces. People have full conscious control over their destiny.

Question 3

Abraham Maslow

Answer 3

• Maslow believed humans are motivated by needs beyond those of basic biological survival.
• Fundamental to human nature is the desire to grow and develop to achieve our full potential – referred to as ‘self-actualization’.
• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ranges from basic needs to higher-level psychological and actualization needs.

Question 4

Motivation – Maslow

Answer 4

1. Self-actualization: morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance of facts.
2. Esteem: self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, respect by others.
3. Love/belonging: friendship, family, sexual intimacy.
4. Safety: security of body, of employment, of resources, of morality, of the family, of health and of property.
5. Physiological: breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion.

Question 5

Maslow: Self Actualization

Answer 5

• Maslow found that those who attained self-actualization tended to be creative, accepting of other people and had an accurate perception of the world around them.
• Maslow argued that such individuals experienced self-actualization in the form of ‘peak experiences’

Question 6

Carl Rogers

Answer 6

• The self refers to how we perceive ourselves as a person.
• Carl Rogers points out that individuals strive to achieve their ideal selves because they are motivated towards self-improvement.
• Humanistic approach concerned itself with explanations of healthy growth.
• Rogers claimed that people have two basic needs: positive regard from other people and a feeling of self-worth.
• If this is given freely, without conditions (unconditional positive regard), then people will develop a healthy sense of self-worth, recognizing their ability and difficulties.
• Children who receive negative regard, such as criticism and blame, develop low self-esteem.

Question 7

Congruence

Answer 7

• A healthy sense of wellbeing is established if an individual maintains a reasonable consistency between ideal self and actual behaviour (real self). This is known as congruence.
• The greater the gap between ideal self and the actual self, the greater the incongruence.
• Incongruence -> low self-worth and maladjustment.

Question 8

Assumptions Rodgers

Answer 8

• In order to reduce the gap between the self-concept and the ideal self, Rogers developed client-centered therapy (CCT).
• Conditions of worth: a parent who set boundaries or limits on their love for their child is storing up psychological problems for that child in the future.
• The whole person should be studied in their environmental context and psychology should study the individual case.

Question 9

Influence on counselling psychology

Answer 9

• The humanistic approach’s primary application has been to therapeutic treatment.
• Client-centered therapy, whereby the client is encouraged to develop positive self-regard and overcome the mismatch between their perceived self, true self and ideal self.
• Gestalt therapy.
• The therapist provides empathy and unconditional positive regard.
• Humanistic therapists regard themselves as ‘guides’ or ‘facilitators’.