Lesson 11: Humanistic Approach (Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs)

Question 1

Key assumptions of Humanistic approach

Answer 1

• Psychology should study the whole person given that everyone is unique
• People have free will to make their own decisions in life
• The scientific method is too objective because the methods employed fail to acknowledge the subjective experience of the individual

Question 2

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 2

• A person’s most basic psychological needs are represented at the bottom of the pyramid and the most advanced needs are at the top. People are motivated to achieve progression through the levels, each level must be fulfilled before a person can move up to a higher need. Maslow believed the more basic the need, the more powerfully it is experienced and the more difficult it is to ignore.

-Self actualisation
- Esteem needs
- Belongingness and love needs
- Safety needs
- Physiological needs

Question 3

Self actualisation

Answer 3

• Occurs when a person reaches their full potential and is the best version of themselves
• Maslow found that most of those who attained self actualisation shared certain characteristics
• they tended to be creative accepting of other people such individual experienced self - actualisation in the form of peak experiences.
• These are moments of extreme inspiration and ecstasy during which they felt able to leave behind all doubts, fears and inhibitions.