Humanistic Approach

Question 1

What are the strengths of the humanistic approach?

Answer 1

1) Not reductionist
Advocates holism and rejects any attempt to break up behaviour + experiences into smaller components -> more validity than alternative approaches.
2) Positive approach
Sees all people as good, free to work towards achievement of potential + in control of their lives.
3) Practical application
Rogerian therapy has revolutionised counselling techniques + Maslows hierarchy of needs has been used to explain motivation, particularly in the workplace.

Question 2

What are the criticism of the humanistic approach?

Answer 2

1) Lack of empirical evidence
Includes a number of vague ideas that are abstract + difficult to test as there aren’t many concepts that get broken down into single variables + measurable.
2) Limited impact within the discipline of psychology as a whole.
3) Culturally bias
Some cultures may not identify so easily with the ideas + values (e.g self-actualisation) as collectivist cultures emphasise the needs of the group, community and interdependence.

Question 3

What is congruence?

Answer 3

Self-concept and ideal-self are seen to broadly match.

Question 4

What do human psychologists mean by ‘focus on the self’?

Answer 4

Self = ideas and values that characterise ‘I’ and ‘me’

Question 5

What influence has humanistic psychology had on counselling psychology?

Answer 5

• Client centred therapy reduces the gap between self-concept and ideal-self.
• Client centred therapy -> not directed by psychologist.
• Therapist offers unconditional regard + empathy -> aim to improve congruence.

Question 6

What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 6

• Four levels that must be met before an individual can work towards self-actualisation.
• Humans are motivated by needs.

Question 7

What does the hierarchy consist of?

Answer 7

Bottom
1) Basic needs -> safety (security) and physiological (food)
2) Psychological -> esteem (accomplished) and belongingness + love (friends)
3) Self fulfilment -> self actualisation (creativity)
Top

Question 8

What is conditions of worth? What role does it play in psychological health? (What did Rogers claim and see)

Answer 8

Conditions of worth = parents sets boundaries on their love for their child.
Rogers claimed that many issues as adults have their roots in childhood and can be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard.
Rogers saw that one of his roles as an effective therapist as being able to provide clients with unconditional positive regard that they failed to receive as children.

Question 9

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 9

Experiencing feelings of extreme satisfaction and well-being.

Question 10

What is free-will?

Answer 10

Humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological or external forces.