Humanistic Psychology AO3

Question 1

Humanistic psychology Ao3 strength

Answer 1

Takes holistic approach to explaining behaviour

Takes into account how persons subjective experience would influence and explain whole behaviour

Whereas reductionist approaches such as behaviourism reduce complex human behaviour to a consequence of stimulas response association

Thus humanism is seen as a more valid way of understanding human behaviour in a real life context than the more reductionist alternative explanation

Question 2

Humanistic psychology Ao3 strength

Answer 2

Further strength of humanistic explanation of human behaviour is that it has practical applications

Principles of the theory that individuals have free will to choose their behaviour has revolutionised counselling techniques and has lead to treatments of pct

Pct can be used to treat abnormalities in the real world such as depression by

helping individuals achieve confidence and self actualise through empathy and unconditional positive regard

Thus humanistic explanation of human behaviour is an important part of applied psychology as it helps to treat people in the real world

Question 3

Humanistic psychology Ao3 limitation

Answer 3

Bound by culturally relativism

Many concepts of humanism such as self actualisation and personal growth are associated with indivualistic western cultures

Collectivist cultures such as India emphasise needs of community

Meaning they don’t necessarily aim to self actualise

Thus it’s possible this approach does not apply universally and is limited to western cultures

Question 4

Humanistic psychology Ao3 strength

Answer 4

Takes positive stance to explain human behaviour as the approach argues for free will

Suggested individuals choose behaviour and can reject external and internal influences

E.g an individual choices in life affect whether they self actualise

Seen as a more positive approach to understanding human nature compared to more deterministic theories such as the biological approach that argues behaviour is controlled by internal influences such as genes

Therefore humanism may be seen as a more positive explanation of human behaviour