The Humanistic Approach

Question 1

Who developed humanist psychology?

Answer 1

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

Question 2

What does the humanistic approach argue when explaining human behaviour?

Answer 2

That it can be explained in terms of free will.

Question 3

What do Rogers and Maslow reject and why?

Answer 3

They reject general scientific models of human behaviour arguing that we are all unique.

Question 4

Rogers and Maslow argue that psychology should take a _______-_______ approach.

Answer 4

Person-centred.

Question 5

What are the three factors within humanistic psychology?

Answer 5

• Self-actualisation and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,
• The Self, Congruence, and Conditions of Worth.
• The Influence on Counselling Psychology.

Question 6

What do humanistic psychologists argue every individual has the drive to do?

Answer 6

Realise their true potential (self-actualise).

Question 7

What are the five needs in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (in order from the most basic need to higher needs).

Answer 7

• Physiological (hunger)
• Safety
• Love/Belonging
• Esteem.
• Self-actualisation.

Question 8

Maslow believed the more _____ the need, the ____ powerfully it is felt.

Answer 8

• Basic

- More

Question 9

How did Rogers argue that personal growth is achieved?

Answer 9

An individual’s concept of self (the way they see themselves) must be broadly equivalent to or have congruence with, the ideal self (the person they want to be).

Question 10

What happens if the gap between the two ‘selves’ of a person is too big?

Answer 10

The person will experience a state of incongruence and self-actualisation will not be possible due to the negative feelings that arise.

Question 11

How does Rogers explain why some individuals may have low self-esteem

Answer 11

It may be due to a lack of unconditional positive regard (unconditional love) from our parents during childhood or other significant people in our lives.

Question 12

What are ‘conditions of worth’?

Answer 12

When a parent or significant person sets boundaries or limits on their love (“I will only love you if…”).

Question 13

How did Roger believe non-directive counselling benefited the client?

Answer 13

It allowed people to solve their own problems in constructive ways, and move towards being a more fully functioning person.

Question 14

What do therapists do to achieve non-directive counselling?

Answer 14

They show empathy, provide unconditional positive regard, and expressing acceptance regardless.

Question 15

Through non-directive counselling, therapists are able to _______ the client’s __________ __ _____ and reduce the level of ____________ between the ___ ‘selves’.

Answer 15

• dissolve
• conditions of worth
• incongruence
• two

Question 16

What are the five evaluation points for humanistic psychology?

Answer 16

- Unscientific.
\+ Practical application.
- Based on research using non-experimental methods.
\+ Not reductionist.
- Rejection of determinism.