the humanistic psychology Flashcards
how does humanistic approach differ from the other approaches
approaches we have looked at previously are determinist to some degree in their suggestion that our behaviour is entirely/partly shaped by forces over we have no control over
even the cognitive approach which still argue that such choice is constrained by the limits of our cognitive system
- HP is different in because HP is essentially self - determining and have free will
what does it mean when we say that that the Humanists approach is self determining
It does not mean that people are not affected by external or internal influences but we are active agents who have the ability to determining our own development
This is why humanistic psychologists e.g. Rogers and Maslow, reject scientific models that attempt to establish general principles of human behaviour
why do humanists believe that psychology should concern themselves with the study of subjective experience
because as we are active agents, psychology should concern itself with the study of subjective experiences rather than general laws
- This is why sometimes the approach is referred to as “person - centered approach” in psychology
what is self - actualisation
self - actualisation represents the uppermost level of Maslaw’s hierarchy of needs
When self - actualisation is reached, a person can reach there full potential
what does every person have according to Humanistic psychologists
every person has an innate tendency to reach their full potential
what are the five levels of Maslow’s hierarchy pyramid
starting from the bottom to the top
- physiological needs e.g. food, sleep
- safety and security
- love and belongingness
- self - esteem
- self actualisation
what is personal growth
Humanists psychologists regard “personal growth” as an essential part of what it is to be human
Personal growth is concerned with developing and changing as a person is to become fulfilled, satisfied and goal- oriented
why cant’s everyone achieve their full potential
because there are important psychological barriers that may prevent from reaching their potential
what did Rogers argue
in order for personal growth to be achieved and individuals concepts of self must be broadly equivalent to, or have congruence with their ideal self
what is our concept of self
it is the way that we see ourselves
what is our ideal self
who we want to be
what happens when the gaps between our ideal self and self is too large
if the gaps is too big between two selves, the person will experience a state of incongruince and self actualisation will not be possible
This is due to the negative feelings of self - worth that arise from incongruence
how do we reduce the gap between our self - concept and ideal self
to reduce the gap between self - concept and ideal self, Rogers developed CLIENT - CENTRED THERAPY
which helps people to cope with the problems of everyday life
what did Roger claim about the issues we face in adulthood
Rogers claimed that our issues we face in adulthood
e.g. low self esteem,have their results from childhood and can often be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard (lack of unconditional love) from our parents
e.g. a parent who set boundaries or limits on their love for their child (conditions of worth) by claiming “I will only love you if… is storing up psychological problems for that child in the future
Therefore Rogers saw one of his roles as an effective therapist as being able to provide clients with the unconditional positive regard that they failed to receive as children
