Humanistic psychology

Question 1

Assumptions of humanistic psychology

Answer 1

Every individual is unique(this way of viewing people is called idiographic)
Free will: humans are self-determining(not affected by external or internal influences), so we’re in charge of how we develop and progress through life
People should be viewed holistically:Humanists argue there’s no point looking at just one aspect of an individual, as much of what could be affecting them moght be missed.
Humanists don’t believe in focusing on childhood during therapy - they believe the whole life should be considered.
The scientific method is not appropriate to measure behaviour: Tries to be too objective - humans are subjective in the way they think and behave

Question 2

Self-actualisation

Answer 2

The achievement of our full potential, which we have an innate drive for

Question 3

Growth need

Answer 3

Personal growth is an essential part of being human- fulfilled, satisfied and goal orientated

Question 4

Maslow’s theory of motivation

Answer 4

We are motivated to use free will to reach our fullest potential.
Some needs are shared and some are individual.
Human needs are categorised and prioritised.

Question 5

Self actualised people characteristics

Answer 5

1. A strong sense of self awareness
2. A fully accepting view of themselves and others for who they are
3. A strong sense of creativity

Question 6

Aronoff metjod

Answer 6

1) Aronoff compared people in two jobs in the British West Indies-fishermen and cane cutters.
2) Cane cutters got paid according to how much cane was cut by the whole group, so had high job security, although wages were low.
3) In contrast, fishermen worked alone with more challenging work, so were less secure in their jobs.
4) Both groups of people were assessed to see which level they were at on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Question 7

Aronoff results

Answer 7

More cand cutters were at the lower levels of hierarchy, still trying to achieve safety and security, than fishermen(many of whom had satisfied the lower levels of the hierarchy(

Question 8

Aronoff conclusion

Answer 8

Only those men who’d satisified lower levels of the pyramid would choose to become fishermen, to develop high self-esteem - people can’t reach the higher levels of Maslow’s hierarchy until they’ve satisfied the lower levels.

Question 9

Aronoff evaluation

Answer 9

Ecological validity - studies people in natural environment
Results can’t be generalised to the wider population - only studied people from our culture

Question 10

Carl Roger’s theory of person centred therapy

Answer 10

He suggested we have three selves which need to integrate to achieve self-actualisation:
1. The self-concept
2. The ideal self
3. The real self

Question 11

Carl Rogers’ the self concept

Answer 11

The self that can be described as the self you feel you are, similar to self esteem and is affected by it

Question 12

Carl Rogers - what happens when the selves don’t match up?

Answer 12

Anxiety
Defence mechanisms
Depression

Question 13

Importance of congruence - Carl Rogers

Answer 13

Rogers believed, to achieve self-actualisation.
, it’s necessary for a person to be congruent(ideal self, self image. true self)

Question 14

Achieving congruence

Answer 14

An important part of achieving congruence is unconditional positive regard

Question 15

Role of conditions of worth

Answer 15

Conditions of worth are requirements that the individual feels they need to meet to be loved, which can be either real or perceived by the individual

Question 16

Client centred therapy

Answer 16

Person centred therapy is a form of psychotherapy
‘Clients’ not ‘patients’- expert of their own condition
Non-directive
Warm, supportive and non-judgemental
Therapist provides three things: genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regars

Question 17

Purpose of client centred therapy

Answer 17

Increase self-worth, reduce incongruence and become a fully functioning person