Humanistic approach

Question 1

What does the humanistic approach suggest about free will?

Answer 1

Humans are self-determining and we are active agents who have the ability to determine our own development.

Question 2

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 2

That everyone has the innate tendency to achieve their full potential.

Question 3

What is the structure Maslows hierarchy of needs?

Answer 3

Self actualisation
Self-esteem
Love and belongingness
Safety and security
Physiological needs

Question 4

How do we self-actualise?

Answer 4

All 4 lower levels of the hierarchy must be met before an individual can work towards self-actualising and fulfilling their potential.

Question 5

What must happen for personal growth to be achieved?

Answer 5

For personal growth to be achieved an individual’s concept of self must have congruence with their ideal self.
If the gap is too big between the 2 selves then a person will experience a state of incongruence and self-actualisation will not be possible due to negative feelings of self-worth.

Question 6

How do you reduce the gap between actual self and ideal self?

Answer 6

• Client entered therapy - help people cope with the problems of everyday living.
• The therapy aims to provide client with unconditional positive regard that they had to failed to receive as a child.

Question 7

According to Maslov, where does worthlessness and low self-esteem stem from?

Answer 7

• Stems from childhood and can often be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard.
• Parents put conditions of worth on the child.

Question 8

State 2 positives of the humanistic approach.

Answer 8

Not reductionist:
- advocate holism
- more validity as it considers meaningful human behaviour
Positive approach:
- praised for ‘bringing the person back into psychology’
- promoting postive image of the human condition
- optimistic

Question 9

State 3 negatives of the humanistic approach.

Answer 9

Limited application:
- rogerian theory has helped counselling, however it has limited impact on the discipline of psychology
- lack of sound-evidence base
- described as a loose set of abstract concepts
Untestable concepts:
- can’t assess self-actualisation and congruence
- useful as therapeutic tool but problematic to test
- subjective/personal judgement
Cultural bias:
- self-actualisation = individualist
- may not be valued in collectivist cultures who place emphasis on the needs of the group