Humanistic Approach

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the humanistic approach?

Answer 1

• all humans can determine their own bhv and have free will
• all humans have an innate need for self actualisation, this is achieved if they hav the right env for personal growth

Question 2

What does the humanistic approach focus on?

Answer 2

• the conscious mind
• indv present experiences and future possibilities
• not the past

Question 3

What are the 4 features of the humanistic approach?

Answer 3

• free will
• maslows hierachy of needs (self actualisation)
• the self + congruence
• conditions of worth

The influence of counselling is also part of the humanistic approach.

Question 4

Describe free will feature

Answer 4

• humanism argues free will is possible, unlike other approaches
• as we can choose our own bhv + reject int and ext inf like genes
• humans are self determining, we have f.w to make choices to enable personal growth
• concerned with subjective exp of indv and not general laws for human bhv

Question 5

Describe the self actualisation feature

Answer 5

• maslow developed hierachy of needs, more basic needs have to be met before higher needs can be achieved
• self actualisation = highest level + a goal, not a need, we want to achieve to enable personal growth to fulfill our full potential, this will continue to change throughout our lives. e.g. problem solving and creativity
• esteem needs = self respect + confidence
• love and belonging needs is linked to giving and receiving love with friends and family
• safety needs = shelter, employment and good health
• the most basic level is physiological needs required for survival water, food and sleeping

Question 6

Describe the self feature and congruence

Answer 6

• humanism argues that for indv to achieve personal growth there needs to be a focus on the self

THE SELF
- actual self is how we view ourselves. comes from our own experiences of the world and how other significant ppl view us
- ideal self is who we want to be

CONGRUENCE
- match between actual and ideal self = congruence occurs - enables person to show personal growth + achieve goals
- mismatch = state of incongruence - low self worth + poorer psychological health
- counselling can help a person match their selfs to develop a more achievable ideal self by closing the gap

Question 7

Describe conditions of worth as part of the self feature

Answer 7

• conditions of worth are limits on love placed on us by parents or significant others
• if these specific conditions are not met they may not show love or approval
• a person may have issues of low self esteem and worthlessness in adulthood as a consequence of childhood due to conditions of worth
• they influence indv in development as they believe they can only be happy + accept themselves when c.o.w are met, this can lead to incongruence.

Question 8

How can conditions of worth (part of self feature) be dealt with?

Answer 8

Issues can be helped using counselling..

• therapist creates an env so indv feels unconditional positive regard
• therapist must accept clients feelings + experiences, avoid making judgements about how valid they are
• this helps resolve c.o.w + client to achieve self actualisation as they focus on their genuine self

Question 9

Describe the influence of humanistic psychology on counselling as part of the humanistic approach

Answer 9

• person centered therapy is an important form of modern day counselling
• the aim of PCT is to increase indv feelings of self worth, reduce incongruence between A.S and I.S + help them to become more fully functioning
• its transformed therapy by introducing a variety of techniques:
• patient is seen as an expert in their own condition *
• client is encouraged to exert free will to discover solutions to own problems *
• non directive + forward looking as it focuses on present problems vs psychoanalysis that focuses on past *
• only effective on mild conditions such as anx *
• for therapy to be successful, therapist has to create env so indv feels UCR and env has to be supportive and non - judgemental so personal growth can be achieved

Question 10

When should the influence of humanistic psychology be used?

Answer 10

Only if the specific title is in the question.
Could be asked to compare psychoanalysis to person centered therapy