Humanistic Psychology

Question 1

Overview of Humanistic Psychology

Answer 1

• Humanistic Psychology: Developed as a reaction against the deterministic nature of both the psychodynamic and behaviorist approaches. Focuses on the individual’s subjective experience and the capacity for personal growth and self-determination.
• Key Figures: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
• Key Idea: Emphasizes free will, self-actualization, and the belief that humans are inherently good, with an innate tendency towards personal growth.

Question 2

Free Will and Human Nature

Answer 2

• Free Will: Unlike other approaches, humanistic psychology believes humans have conscious control over their actions.
• Humans are active agents who can shape their own lives, as opposed to being merely controlled by biological or environmental forces.
• Holistic View: The whole person is considered, not just individual parts of behavior.

Question 3

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 3

• Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchical model of human needs, with self-actualization as the ultimate goal. Needs must be satisfied in a stepwise manner.
  1. Physiological Needs: Basic needs for survival, like food and water.
  2. Safety Needs: Protection and security.
  3. Love and Belongingness: Intimate relationships, friendships, and community.
  4. Esteem Needs: Self-esteem, recognition, and achievement.
  5. Self-Actualization: Achieving personal potential, creativity, and self-growth. Few individuals fully achieve this stage.

Question 4

Self-Actualization

Answer 4

• Self-Actualization: The process of fulfilling one’s potential and becoming the most authentic version of oneself.
• Characteristics of self-actualized individuals: Creativity, problem-solving, authenticity, spontaneity, and strong moral values.
• According to Maslow, self-actualization is a continuous process of becoming, not a perfect state.

Question 5

Carl Rogers and the Self

Answer 5

• Carl Rogers: Key proponent of client-centered therapy and the concept of the self.
• Rogers believed that people have three ‘selves’:
  1. Self-concept: How you see yourself.
  2. Ideal self: Who you want to be.
  3. Real self: Who you actually are.
• Congruence: Rogers argued that personal growth requires an individual’s self-concept to be congruent (aligned) with their ideal self. Incongruence leads to dissatisfaction and anxiety.

Question 6

Conditions of Worth and Unconditional Positive Regard

Answer 6

• Conditions of Worth: According to Rogers, people can only experience self-worth if they meet certain conditions set by others, like approval or validation from parents.
• Unconditional Positive Regard: Essential for self-actualization. Rogers believed people need to feel fully accepted and loved without conditions in order to grow.

Question 7

Client-Centered Therapy (CCT)

Answer 7

• Client-Centered Therapy (also called Person-Centered Therapy) focuses on providing a supportive environment where clients can explore their feelings without judgment.
• Key elements of CCT:
  1. Genuineness (therapist is honest and open).
  2. Empathy (therapist shows deep understanding of the client’s feelings).
  3. Unconditional Positive Regard (accepting the client without judgment).

Question 8

Strengths of Humanistic Psychology

Answer 8

1. Holistic Approach: Treats individuals as whole beings and recognizes the importance of personal growth and self-fulfillment.
2. Positive Approach: Focuses on the positive aspects of human behavior, such as self-actualization and free will.
3. Real-World Applications: Techniques like client-centered therapy have influenced modern-day counseling and psychotherapy, emphasizing non-directive, empathetic approaches.

Question 9

Limitations of Humanistic Psychology

Answer 9

1. Untestable Concepts: Key concepts such as self-actualization and congruence are subjective and difficult to measure scientifically.
2. Cultural Bias: The emphasis on personal growth and individual freedom reflects Western cultural values, which may not be applicable in more collectivist cultures that prioritize the group over the individual.
3. Overemphasis on Free Will: Critics argue that the humanistic approach overlooks the influence of biological and environmental factors in shaping behavior.

Question 10

Comparisons with Other Approaches

Answer 10

• Psychodynamic vs. Humanistic: The psychodynamic approach emphasizes unconscious forces and childhood experiences, while humanistic psychology focuses on conscious experiences and personal growth.
• Behaviorism vs. Humanistic: Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior and external reinforcement, while humanistic psychology prioritizes internal growth and free will.
• Cognitive vs. Humanistic: The cognitive approach focuses on thought processes and information processing, whereas humanistic psychology focuses on self-concept and personal growth.

Question 11

Applications to Psychopathology

Answer 11

• Humanistic psychology suggests that mental disorders result from a lack of congruence between the self-concept and ideal self or from unmet needs in Maslow’s hierarchy.
• Therapeutic Techniques: Focus on creating a supportive environment where individuals can achieve personal growth and self-actualization.

Question 12

Key Exam Points

Answer 12

• Define: Free will, self-actualization, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and Rogers’ theory of the self.
• Application: Use examples from client-centered therapy to demonstrate how humanistic principles apply in real-world therapy.
  Evaluation: Weigh the benefits of focusing on free will and personal growth against criticisms of untestability and cultural bias