Humanistic approach Flashcards
Humanistic approach
An approach that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each person’s capacity for self determination.
Free will
Humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces.
Self actualisation
The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil their full potential.
Hierarchy of needs
A five levelled hierarchical sequence in which basic needs must be satisfied before higher psychological needs such as self esteem and self actualisation is achieved.
Self
The ideas and values that characterise ‘I’ and ‘me’ and includes perception and valuing of ‘what i am’ and ‘what i can do’
Congruence
When the self concept and ideal self are seen to match. Rogers theory.
Conditions of worth
When a parent places limits on their love, eg. I’ll only love you if…
Humanistic theory - free will
Only approach that believes in self determination and free will. Person centred approach as its subjective experience rather than general laws.
Humanistic approach - self actualisation
Everyone has an innate tendency to achieve their full potential. All four levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs need to be achieved before self actualisation.
Humanistic approach - the self, congruence and conditions of worth
In order for personal growth Rogers said the individuals concept of self and the ideal self must match/be congruent. If theres a big gap, self actualisation is not possible due to negative feelings.
Rogers developed client centred therapy to help people cope with the problems of everyday living.
Roger’s - humanistic approach
He claimed that many issues we experience as adults, such as low self esteem have roots in childhood, if a parent conditions worth or lacks unconditional love. So his client centred therapy provides unconditional positive regard they failed to receive as children.
Maslows hierarchy of needs
Physiological needs, safety and security, love and belongingness, self esteem and self actualisation.
Humanistic approach evaluation
Not reductionist- as its holistic it may have more validity by considering meaningful human behaviour within its real life context.
Limited application- seen as abstract concepts and little real world application. However Rogers therapy revolutionised counselling techniques. And Maslows has been used to explain motivation.
Positive approach- offers an optimistic alternative, it sees all people as basically good, free to work towards the achievement of their full potential and in control of their lives.
Untestable concepts- self actualisation and congruence is hard to test under experimental conditions.
