humanistic approach

Question 1

AO1: what is the humanistic approach

Answer 1

emphasises the importance of each persons capacity for self determination to explain behaviour. Ideas created by Maslow and Rogers

Question 2

AO1: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 2

hierarchy of needs: all levels must be met in order for the individual to self actualise

physiological (water, food, sleep, oxygen)
safety (of health, of family)
love/belonging (friendship, romance)
esteem (confidence, respect for others)
self actualisation (reaching your fullest potential)

Question 3

AO1: incongruence - Rogers

Answer 3

self- ideas and values that characterise yourself

if the self concept and ideal self don’t match then self actualisation is not possible

To reduce the incongruence, client-centred therapy was developed - fixes problems from childhood (e.g. lack of unconditional positive regard and conditions of worth) which leads to incongruence.

conditions of worth- parents place limits/boundaries on their love of their children

Question 4

AO3: strength- real life application

Answer 4

P: real life application
E: contemporary therapists use Rogers ideas of unconditional positive regard
E: Rogers believed in client centred counselling as it helps resolve the patients issues and they can achieve self actualisation. The client feels supported meaning the conditions of worth which is affecting their self concept will disappear and they can move forward with their ideal health
HOWEVER, counselling cannot be tested experimentally which means it is unscientific as cant quantify concepts like self actualisation. It also can’t be compared as most of the data is qualitative.

Question 5

Strength- real world application

Answer 5

P: can be applied to economic development of countries
E/E: early stages of economic development of countries will have priority on physiological (food) and safety (reduction of murder rates). Then when they are met, the countries focus on esteem needs (women’s rights) and self actualisation (access to education)
L: evidence from 88 countries over 34 years supports a hierarchy of needs in societies.

Question 6

AO3: limitation- doesn’t take into account the role of biology

Answer 6

P: role of biology
E: abnormal behaviour could be to do with neurotransmitters, genes or hormones rather than lack of self actualisation.
E: e.g. hormones such as dopamine result in pleasure, so if dopamine is released, it cant prevent abnormal behaviour, instead of it being down to an individuals choice.
L: shows there are other explanations to explaining behaviour

Question 7

AO3: limitation- culturally biased

Answer 7

P: culturally biased
E: individual freedom and personal growth would be associated with individualist cultures in the western world. Collectivist cultures many not identify with those ideas as they emphasise the need for a group and community.
E: may see it as selfish
L: humanistic approach doesn’t apply universally