Humanists Approach Evaluation

Question 1

What are the 3 points of evaluation?

Answer 1

• rejects scientific methods
• limited application to real world
• considered culturally biased

Question 2

Rejects scientific methods (explain)

Answer 2

Humanist believe individuals are unique

Therefore there’s no benefit studying groups of people scientifically - doesn’t advocate their theory

(Many components too abstract to test)

Question 3

Rejects scientific methods (expand)

Answer 3

Lack of scientific testing = ungeneralisable + unfalsifiable

Cannot test concepts like self-concept = theory less valid

Question 4

Rejects scientific methods (link)

Answer 4

This a weakness

Lowers internal validity = cannot be supported with scientific evidence

Question 5

Limited application to real world (explain)

Answer 5

Applying research to real life is important

Much research in psychology used in order to better understand the world + behaviour

Question 6

Limited application to real world (expand)

Answer 6

Contributed a small amount to Rogerian counselling methods

Although positive regard in counselling is found = little impact on world

Question 7

Limited application to real world (link)

Answer 7

This is a weakness

Reduces overall external validity = we don’t use the theory most often

Question 8

Considered culturally biased (explain)

Answer 8

Emphasises importance of ‘free will’ + independent personal growth common in western society

however not the norm in eastern culture

Question 9

Considered culturally biased (expand)

Answer 9

Western environments = individualist cultures
emphasising self actualisation

eastern society = collectivist culture
practised group progress + improvement takes priority

Question 10

considered culturally biased (link)

Answer 10

This is a weakness

bias = less generalisable
cannot suit all cultures