Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Introduction to Humanistic Approach

Answer 1

• developed in America (early 1950s)
• third force aimed to replace Behaviourist and Psychodynamic Approach
• offers less deterministic and idealistic approach
• focuses more on conscious experience than behaviour
• emphasises importance of an individual’s personal growth + fulfilment
• humans strive towards self-actualisation

Question 2

Free Will + Holism

Answer 2

• humans make choices and aren’t determined via biological + external forces
• emphasises people have conscious control over their own destiny
• we are free to do all - but we are subject to societal influence
• able to make significant personal choices

Question 3

Methodology

Answer 3

qualitative methods (non-numerical) - hard to analyse

1. unstructured interviewing = allows access to other’s view + experience (casual + spontaneous questions)
2. participants observation = interviewer takes part in what the participant is studying to understand how they perceive it
3. diaries, biographical material = analyse all types of info to understand others’ insight into the world
4. rejects scientific methods

Question 4

Maslow’s belief

Answer 4

emphasises importance of personal growth

• in hierarchy, most basic needs at bottom + more advanced at top

each level needs to fulfilled to move up

• desire to grow +develop to achieve our full potential = SELF ACTUALISATION

Question 5

Maslows’ Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 5

1. PHYSIOLOGICAL= basic needs that are taken for granted (food, water, sleep, sex)
2. SAFETY =somewhere to call home, health, body, employment + family
3. LOVE/BELONGING = friends,family +SO (significant others)
4. Esteem = confidence, self-esteem, respect for others, respected by others

5, Self Actualisation = morality, motivation to achieve, best version of self

Question 6

Carl Rogers (1902 - 1987)

Answer 6

• pioneering founders of humanistic approach
• focus of self + self-acceptance
• developed client-centered therapy (CCT)

REAL self = how/who we are in present time
IDEAL self = how/who we want to become

to maintain healthy wellbeing, there needs to be congruency between both selves

• humans have two basic needs =
  positive regard from others
  self-worth

if selves are congruent it can negatively affect self esteem and stunts self-actualisation

can use defense mechanisms - cant stop self growth = can widen distance between selves

Question 7

Conditions of worth

Answer 7

Rogers believed others hinder process of self-actualisation

• humans have a basic need to be loved + valued by those in their life

Unconditional positive regard (UPR) = person accepts who they are (no strings attached)

Conditional positive regard (CPR) = person only accepted what others want (strings attached)

• reduces congruence between selves

CCT = effective therapist would provide clients with UPR they never received as a child - providing the child with empathy

Harter et al (1996) - teens feel they need to fulfil conditions for parents’ validation end up not liking themselves = more likely to develop depression

they try to meet ‘false self behaviour’ means trying to meet others expectation even if they clash with their own

depression can come from lack of UPR and inability to accept ones self