The Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Key Assumptions of the humanistic approach

Answer 1

1 - humans should be viewed as a whole
2 - they argue that we are all unique and therefore the subjective experience should be studied
3 - humans have free will
4 - they argued that everyone innately strives to achieve personal growth or self actualisation

Question 2

Maslows hierarchy of needs

Answer 2

Maslow acknowledged that people have a variety of needs that differ in immediacy and which need satisfying at different times

The needs are physiological needs (bottom), safety, love and belonging, esteem and self actualisation (top)

Individuals first need to satisfy their basic needs, they then need to satisfy their psychological needs and then individuals desire true self fulfilment

Question 3

Conditions of worth - Roger’s

Answer 3

Conditions of worth is where parents place limits or boundaries on the love the child receives. Roger’s believed many psychological problems in adult life are results of having conditions of worth placed upon you as a child

Question 4

Unconditional positive regard - Roger’s

Answer 4

Carl Roger’s based the humanistic approach on the principle that the therapist must show the client unconditional positive regard at all times. The therapist must not impose any conditions of worth and must be genuine. The purpose is to achieve personal growth in the client and reduce the degree of incongruence

Question 5

Congruence

Answer 5

In agreement or harmony with their sense of self
The gap between the actual and ideal self is small
They have high self esteem

Question 6

Incongruence

Answer 6

Not in alignment or harmony with sense of self
There is a large gap between the actual self and ideal self
They have low self esteem

Question 7

Incongruence

Answer 7

Not in alignment or harmony with sense of self
There is a large gap between the actual self and ideal self
They have low self esteem

Question 8

EVALUATION of the humanistic approach - 3 points

Answer 8

1 - humanism is a positive approach and considers that everyone is unique, however can’t explain all human behaviour
2 - assumes self actualisation is an innate desire for everyone - gender differences (Jonah complex) men avoid academic success. however does accept free will less deterministic
3 - support from treatment - 700 people over 5 years in PCT on patients with anxiety and depression, 70% significant improvement. however based on self report