the humanistic approach

Question 1

main assumptions of the humanistic approach

Answer 1

• Freewill - we are essentially self-determining and can make our own choices. People are still affected by internal and external influences, but we are active agents.
• Holism - Studies the ‘whole’ person - uniqueness of each individual
• we have an innate need to self-actualise
• reject science (subjective experience over objectiveness)

Question 2

context for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 2

• An American psychologist
• developed the hierarchy in 1940-1950 as way for employers to get the best out of their employees
• it has 5 stages

Question 3

the hierarchy

Answer 3

SELF-ACTUALISATION - morality, creativity, problem solving, acceptance of fact, accepting of others (growth need)
(all below are deficiency needs)
SELF ESTEEM NEEDS - respect, status, recognition, strength
LOVE AND BELONGING NEEDS - friendship, intimacy, family, sense of connection
SAFETY NEEDS - resources (personal security, employment, health, property)
PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS - air, water, food, drink warmth, sleep, sex (reproduction)

Question 4

what does the self refer to?

Answer 4

The self (or self-concept) refers to how we perceive ourselves as a person (AKA perceived self). For personal growth and psychological health to be achieved, our concept of our perceived ‘self’ must be equivalent to our ideal self.

Question 5

incongruence

Answer 5

when the perceived ‘self’ and ideal self are distant from each other

Question 6

moving toward congruence

Answer 6

when the perceived ‘self’ and ideal self are moving towards each other

Question 7

what may happen if the gap between perceived self and ideal self is too large?

Answer 7

issues of self worth and poor psychological health

Question 8

where does the gap between perceived self and ideal self come from?

Answer 8

• rooted in childhood
• lack of unconditional positive regard
• parents may have set boundaries or conditions of worth

Question 9

unconditional positive regard

Answer 9

refers to accepting and supporting another person exactly as they are, without evaluating or judging them

Question 10

conditions of worth

Answer 10

The rules society and our care givers make to decide what are the right and wrong behaviours. If we meet the conditions set that are seen as positive, we are praised and shown positive regard and given attention.

Question 11

what is client centered therapy?

Answer 11

Client-centered therapy, or person centered therapy, is a non-directive approach to talk therapy. It requires the client to actively take the reins during each therapy session, while the therapist acts mainly as a guide or a source of support for the client.

Question 12

why are patients called clients?

Answer 12

because this puts the therapist and client as equal partners rather than an expert treating a patient

Question 13

who is responsible for improving the clients life (client centered therapy)?

Answer 13

the client

Question 14

what does client centered therapy focus on: past, present, future?

Answer 14

present and future

Question 15

techniques used in client centered therapy

Answer 15

listening, accepting, understanding, and sharing

Question 16

purpose of Rogerian therapy

Answer 16

increase a patient’s feeling of self worth, reduce the level of incongruence, and to help them to become a more fully functioning person

Question 17

‘core conditions’ of client centered therapy

Answer 17

• the therapist is congruent with the client
• the therapist provides the client with unconditional positive regard
• the therapist shows an empathetic understanding to the client

Question 18

evaluation points for the humanist approach

Answer 18

positive:
- practical applications - therapy
- promoting a positive self-image and ‘bringing the person back into psychology’
- takes a holistic view
negative:
- unfalsifiable - lacks objective and testable concepts and theories
= Q-sort assessment
- culturally biased

Question 19

Q-Sort assessment

Answer 19

The Q-Sort assessment was developed by Stephenson (1953) and it was adopted into client centered therapy, it can involve sorting cards into perceived and ideal self.

Question 20

explanation of abnormal behaviour in the humanist approach

Answer 20

• conditions of worth in childhood
• incongruence
• not reached basic needs

Question 21

treatment of abnormal behaviour in the humanist approach

Answer 21

• Rogerian, client-centered therapy
• no conditions of worth, unconditional positive regard
• empathy and listening
• trying to increase feelings of self-worth