the humanistic approach

Question 1

define the humanistic approach AO1

Answer 1

an approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experiences and a persons capacity for self determinism

Question 2

what is free will? (humanistic approach) AO1

Answer 2

the notion that humans make decisions and their behaviour/thoughts aren’t determined by biological or external forces

Question 3

what 2 approaches does the humanistic approach differ to? AO1

Answer 3

-biological approach assist only focused on internal biological processes
-behaviourist approach as this only considers the idea that humans are conditioned into acting the way they do

Question 4

what does the humanistic approach claim about human behaviour? AO1

Answer 4

human beings are self determining and have free will. People are still affected by internal and external forces but are also active when determining their own development

Question 5

name 2 humanistic psychologists AO1

Answer 5

Maslow and Rogers

Question 6

why is the humanistic approach referred to as a person-centred approach? AO1

Answer 6

because it tales into account that humans are all unique and psychology itself should concern itself with the study of subjective experience rather than general laws

Question 7

explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs AO1

Answer 7

the hierarchy of needs motivate our behaviour. In order to achieve the goal of self-actualisation, a number of other needs have to be met first. At the very bottom are physiological needs such as food and water and as you move up, the next need is safety and security followed by love. Then its self-esteem which the develops into self actualisation. A person can only progress up the hierarchy if the current need in the sequence is met.

Question 8

explain self actualisation in the humanistic approach AO1

Answer 8

self actualisation is the uppermost level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. in order for it to be reached, the lower levels must first be met. This build up to self actualisation begins from early development when a baby is first focused on physiological needs and applies throughout life.

Question 9

describe self, congruence and the conditions of worth in the humanistic approach AO1

Answer 9

Rogers argued that to achieve personal growth, a persons concept of self must have congruence with their ideal self. if the gap between the 2 is too big, the person will be in a state of incongruence and therefore experience low self worth. To reduce this gap, Rogers introduced client centred therapy (counselling) which helps to overcome these feelings. Clients who didn’t experience unconditional positive regard and a child will often experience this low self esteem as an adult. this means an effective therapist must provide this empathy and unconditional love.

Question 10

who was Maslow? what was he interested in? AO1

Answer 10

one of the founders of humanistic psychology, he was interested in what motivates people

Question 11

define self actualisation (humanistic approach) AO1

Answer 11

the desire to grow psychologically and fulfil ones potential (becoming what you are capable of)

Question 12

explain personal growth AO1

Answer 12

personal growth is an essential part of what it is to be human. It is concerned with developing and changing as a person to become fulfilled and goal-orientated

Question 13

explain one strength of the humanistic approach (reductionism) AO3

Answer 13

one strength is that the approach isn’t reductionist compared to other approaches. This means it rejects the idea of breaking up behaviour into smaller more specific parts. For example, the biological approach solely focuses on genetics and internal processes. As a result of this, the HA is more holistic, which means it is based off of subjective information and experiences. This is a strength because the humanistic approach has a higher validity than its alternatives since it is based on real life context

Question 14

explain one strength of the humanistic approach (positivity) AO3

Answer 14

the approach is positive and optimistic. This is because it brings the person back into psychology and creates a positive image of humans. As a result of this, humanistic psychologists have been praised for their research. Freud suggested that humans are prisoners of their past whereas this approach sees all people as good, in control of their life and can therefore reach their full potential. This is a strength because the HA has a refreshing view compared to other approaches.

Question 15

explain one limitation of the humanistic approach (scientifically) AO3

Answer 15

Reductionism however isn’t always a limitation as it provides approaches with more scientific validity. This is because it allows for empirical testing that can be used to back up claims. This is a weakness of the HA because it means it has very little empirical support as things aren’t broken down to be measured scientifically

Question 16

explain one limitation of the humanistic approach (bias) AO3

Answer 16

A limitation is that the approach may be culturally biased. Many ideas central to the approach can only be associated with countries with more individualist tendencies, such as individual freedom, autonomy and personal growth. This means countries with collective tendencies such as interdependence wont acknowledge humanistic ideas and their importance. This is a weakness because to shows that the approach wont be universally applied and is a product of cultural context

Question 17

Give assumptions of the humanistic approach

Answer 17

-Humans are self deterring and have free will
-we can determine our own development
-psychology should be the study of subjective experience not general laws