Humanistic Theories Flashcards
Two Key theorists?
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
Basic Principles
-Study of the whole person, and the uniqueness of each individual
-Advocates that people are inherently good and creative. They become
destructive only when a poor self-concept or external constraints override
the valuing process.
-Focuses on helping the person to reach their full potential
-Behaviour is studied through the eyes of the person, not just the eyes of the observer
Each person, simply by being, is inherently worthy
-The ultimate goal of living is to attain personal growth and understanding
-Study of perceptions, meanings and subjective experiences
-Individuals are not solely the product of their environment
-Phenomenology; takes into account how the individual
perceives, interprets subjectively experiences and event rather
than the event itself.
-Therapeutic Relationship is the vehicle to change
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
Self Transcendence Self-Actualization Esteem Love/Belonging Safety Physiological needs
What is self-actualization?
“The intrinsic growth of what is already in the
organism, or more accurately, of what the
organism is”
in other words..
- Attaining full potential
- Focus on inner drive to grow and improve ones self
- NOT focusing on what is wrong, but on potential
Why Person-centered therapy?
Because it is the client who tends to determine the
focus of the counselling session. THE CLIENT KNOWS BEST, THE CLIENT
IS THE EXPERT IN THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE!
Person-Centered therapy
-The therapist seeks to help his clients accept and take responsibility for
themselves.
-The most important influential factor for the outcome of therapy is the
therapeutic relationship.
-Interview techniques are relatively unimportant; instead the attitudes and
qualities of the therapist are the main focus
Four aspects of Self-concept?
Self worth
Self-image
Ideal self
Real-self
Self-worth (or self-esteem) meaning?
how much value we place on ourselves. Rogers
believed feelings of self-worth developed in early childhood and were formed
from the interaction of the child with his/her parents.
Self-image meaning?
How we see ourselves, which is important to good psychological health. Self-image includes the influence of our body image on inner personality.
At a simple level, we might perceive ourselves as a good or bad person,
beautiful or ugly. Self-image has an effect on how a person thinks, feels and
behaves in the world.
Ideal self meaning?
This is the person who we would like to be. It consists of our goals and ambitions in life, and is dynamic – i.e. forever changing. The ideal self in childhood is not the ideal self in our-teens.
Real-self meaning?
It is the “you” that, if all goes well, you will become.
What does it mean when self-image and ideal-self are incogruent?
The self-image is different to the ideal self.
There is only a little overlap
Here self-actualization will be difficult
What does it mean when self-image and ideal-self are congruent?
The self-image is similar to the ideal self
There is a more overlap
This person can self-actualise
Roger’s six necessary and sufficient conditions?
- Therapist–client psychological contact
- Client incongruence
- Therapist congruence, or genuineness
- Therapist unconditional positive regard (UPR)
- Therapist empathic understanding
- Client perception
What is the therapist congruence, or genuineness?
the willingness to transparently relate to clients without hiding
behind a professional or personal façade (VS psychodynamic blank slate)
