The Humanistic Approach Flashcards
Give 3 assumptions of the humanistic approach.
- People aren’t passive responders to their instincts and environments.
- The potential for good is innate - humans are good.
- Subjective methods should be used to understand behaviour.
What is meant by self actualisation?
A human striving to achieve their full potential.
What is meant by conditions of worth?
Where people are rewarded for behaving in a specific way.
What is meant by unconditional positive regard?
When a person receives love and support no matter how they behave.
Outline Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
- Humans need basic needs first before reaching self actualisation.
- Basic needs e.g food, water at base of hierarchy.
- After these needs comes safety, love and self esteem.
- All of the above must be provided before being able to reach self actualisation.
According to humanistic psychology, why might self actualisation not be possible? (Excluding Maslow’s hierarchy)
There may be a big gap between the self and ideal self.
- results in negative feelings of self worth due to incongruence.
According to humanistic psychology, what can be used to reduce the gap between the ideal self and the self?
Client-centred therapy.
-therapist provides empathy.
-self worth increases.
-unconditional positive regard.
Give 2 strengths of the humanistic approach.
- Not reductionist.
Considers whole person in order to understand subjective experience.
Holistic approach - considers all factors.
Therefore, more valid than other approaches. - Optimistic.
Advocates humans are innately good - have potential.
Offers hope for those with traumatic childhoods unlike psychodynamic.
Therefore, positive.
Give 1 weakness of the humanistic approach.
Culturally biased.
Main ideas associated with individualist cultures e.g America.
Ideas may not be important in some cultures e.g personal growth
Therefore, cannot be universally applied + limited.
