The Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Define the humanistic approach

Answer 1

An approach to psychology that emphasises looking at individuals as a whole and their unique, subjective experiences, believing that behaviour is self-determined, as individuals are motivated to improve and work towards self-actualisation

Question 2

When was the humanistic approach developed?

Answer 2

1950s

Question 3

Who are the two key figures in the humanistic approach?

Answer 3

• Maslow

- Rogers

Question 4

Why was the humanistic approach developed?

Answer 4

To provide an alternative to the previous, objective, deterministic, pessimistic approaches

Question 5

Briefly outline the key assumptions of the humanistic approach

Answer 5

• Individuals are all unique (IDIOGRAPHIC)
• Individuals should be assessed as a whole (HOLISTIC)
• Behaviour is self-determined (WE ARE ‘ACTIVE AGENTS’)
• Individuals strive for SELF-ACTUALISATION
• Self-actualisation requires moving up Maslow’s HIERARCHY OF NEEDS + having Roger’s CONGRUENCY OF THE SELF

Question 6

What does it mean to take an idiographic approach?

Answer 6

Researchers focus on the individual, believing they are unique

May use methods which are qualitative + less scientific, e.g: unstructured interviews, case studies

Question 7

What does it mean to take a holistic approach?

Answer 7

Researchers assess individuals as a whole

Look at all of their experiences to determine an overall reason for behaviour, rather than trying to reduce it to a biological cause, etc.

Question 8

The approach believes individuals are ‘active agents’. What does this mean?

Answer 8

Individual have free will and the ability to take control of their own behaviour (self-determine)

Question 9

Define Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 9

Five-levelled hierarchy that motivates human behaviour, as humans strive for the top level (self-actualisation) which they can only reach when the lower level, more basic needs are met

Question 10

Name the five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs + give an example for each level

Answer 10

1 (TOP) Self-actualisation
2) Self esteem - confidence, achievement, respect
3) Love + belonging - friendship, family, intimacy
4) Safety + security - of body, job, house
5 (BOTTOM) Physiological needs - food, water, sleep, shelter

Question 11

What are the four lowest levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs called?

Answer 11

Deficiency Needs

Question 12

What is the top level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs called?

Answer 12

Growth Needs

Question 13

Define self-actualisation

Answer 13

Fulfilling one’s full potential - the highest level of psychological development

People often have: morality, creativity, lack of prejudice, realistic view

Question 14

How do you move up Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs towards self-actualisation?

Answer 14

Can only move up a level by meeting the needs of the current level

Question 15

What does it mean to be fixated in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 15

Can’t meet needs of the current level, so are stuck there, unable to progress higher

Question 16

Is it the ‘norm’ to reach self-actualisation?

Answer 16

No - many people never do

Question 17

What are the two types of self according to Rogers?

Answer 17

• Ideal self = the self you aspire to be

- Concept of self = the way you currently see yourself

Question 18

What two things are needed to reach self-actualisation?

Answer 18

• Meet all deficiency needs in the hierarchy

- Have congruence of the self

Question 19

Define congruence of the self

Answer 19

Theory proposed by Rogers that to enable personal growth towards self-actualisation, the ideal self + concept of self must be congruent (similar)

Question 20

How is congruency of the self achieved?

Answer 20

Have ‘positive self regard’

This is from ‘unconditional positive regard’ from others

Question 21

Define ‘unconditional positive regard’

Answer 21

Giving love + acceptance without ‘conditions of worth’ (limits on love - ‘I will only love you if…’)

Question 22

What real world impact has the humanistic approach had?

Answer 22

Led to development of ‘client centred therapy’/‘Rogerian therapy’, which improves mental health + therefore the economy (more ppl in work)

Question 23

What do clients do in ‘client centred therapy’?

Answer 23

Take an active role in solving their own problems

Question 24

What do therapists do in ‘client centred therapy’?

Answer 24

• Create a supportive, non-judgy environ for client to grow in
• Provide unconditional positive regard to help client achieve congruence (client may be lacking this elsewhere)
• Be non-directive (giving client control)
• Be respectful + empathetic

Question 25

What methods of research does the Humanistic Approach use?

Answer 25

Prefers to use qualitative research studying the client in depth - rejecting scientific methods to create general nomothetic laws

• Case studies
• Open ended questionnaires
• Unstructured interviews

Question 26

Does the Humanistic approach agree with animal research? Why?

Answer 26

No

• Believes humans are an individual, unique species so animal research cannot pretend to understand them

Question 27

Give 2 positive evaluation points for the Humanistic Approach

Answer 27

Real world application (therapy)
- Rogerian ideas about how to psychological progress (i.e. need congruence of the self + positive self regard) have revolutionised therapy
- Therapy has been improved as therapists are told to provide: congruence, empathy, respect
- This has improved mental health treatment, improving the economy as more individuals can return to work
BUT - Some suggest this therapy isn’t able to treat severe psych disorders e.g schizophrenia

Not deterministic

• Other approaches are more deterministic (e.g. learning - environmental determinism)
• Individuals feel in charge of their own behaviour
• This is less pessimistic, as individuals feel they are free to improve
• Part of the ‘Positive Psychology Movement’ (as individuals have more optimism, they engage better in therapy + have better recovery chance)
• Therefore, the approach provides optimism which has been proven to have an important role in maintaining positive mental health and effective treatment of existing issues

Question 28

Give 2 negative evaluation points for the Humanistic Approach

Answer 28

Criticised as too subjective, not scientific

• Humanistic methodology is often subjective + relies on interpretation of individual experience/case studies by a researcher
• Many concepts are not measurable - e.g. we can’t measure objectively whether a ppt has achieved self-actualisation
• This methodology may be influenced by researcher bias
• Researchers may skew ppts’ answers so that they fit their conclusions
• Therefore, findings from research may lack internal validity, lowering their practical use

Cultural bias

• Many humanistic ideas only apply to Western cultures
• E.g. Self actualisation - reflects individualistic ideas held by Western cultures regarding reaching ‘full potential’ including being independent - in collectivist cultures it is less valued to be a strong autonomous individual
• Therefore, many elements of the approach are ethnocentric - based on what is ideal for WEIRD cultures, so the approach lacks universality