AS Psychology - Approaches

Humanistic Approach

Student workbook

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Form: ...................................................................................

Teacher: ..............................................................................

Humanistic Psychology Key Terms

Humanistic Psychology

Free Will

Self-Actualisation

Hierarchy of Needs

Self

Congruence

Conditions of Worth

Why did Simon Commit the Crime?

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You will be given information on a crime that Simon has committed. After each part of the story is revealed you need to

consider the reasons for the crime.

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What is your best explanation for Simon’s behaviour and why?

Link your explanations to the approaches in Psychology with evidence from the information?

All the approaches we have considered so far are determinist to some degree in their suggestion that our behaviour is entirely, or at least partly, shaped by forces over which we have no control.

Even the cognitive approach, which claims that we are free to choose our own thoughts, would still argue that such a choice is constrained by the limits of our cognitive system.

Humanistic psychology is different in this respect, claiming that human beings are essentially self-determining and have free will.This does not mean that people are not affected by internal or external influences but we are active agents who have the ability to determine our own development.

For this reason, humanistic psychologists such as Rogers and Maslow, reject scientific models that attempt to establish general principles of human behaviour.

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As we are active agents and all unique, they believe psychology should concern itself with the study of subjective experience rather than general laws. This is often call the Person – Centered Approach.

So how do we define free will?

Self-Actualisation

Every person has an innate tendency to achieve their full potential - to be the best they can possibly be.

Maslow, in1940-1950 , developed the Hierarchy of Needs. Self-Actualisation represents the uppermost level of Maslow’s Hierachy of Needs. This means that you have fulfilled your desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one’s full potential – becoming what you are capable of.

The original Hierarchy has 5 stages but has been adapted by others and we often use the 7 stage approach.

To reach self-actualisation you must first fulfil the needs of the lower levels of the hierarchy before reaching full potential.

There are 7 needs In front of you. Can you organise these in order of importance.

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Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow

Justify your order-

Correct order of Hierarchy of Needs

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Self-Actualisation represents the uppermost level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. All lowers levels of the hierarchy needs (deficiency needs) in order must be met before an individual can work towards self-actualisation (a growth need) and fulfil their potential.

Humanistic psychologists regard personal growth as an essential part of what it is to be human.Personal growth is concerned with the developing and changing of as a person to be fulfilled, satisfied and goal-orientated.Not everyone manages to do this, however, and there are important psychological barriers that may prevent a person from reaching their potential.

Self actualisation is very hard to get to…it means ALL your needs have to have been met.

Does anyone think they know anyone who has reached self actualisation? Someone in the media? Write your thoughts here.

How far up Maslow’s hierarchy of needs do you think you are and why?Be prepared to share with the class.

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Does it always work? Could it be hard to follow the rules of the society (stage 2 – laws and not steal) if you are hungry (stage 1)?

Is it difficult to enjoy a special relationship (stage 3) if you do not feel safe (stage 2)?

Can you expect someone to have a high self-esteem (level 4) when they are always left out and do not feel part of a team (level 3)?

Can you motivate someone to achieve their target education grade (level 4) when they're having big problems at home with their family (level 3)?

The Self, Congruence and Conditions of Worth

Rogers argued that for personal growth to be achieved and individual’s concept of self (the way they see themselves) must be broadly equivalent to, or have congruence with, their ideal self (the person they want to be).If too big a gap exists between the two ‘selves’ the person will experience a state of incongruence and self-actualisation will not be possible due to the negative feelings of self-worth that arise from the incongruence.

In order to reduce the gap between the self-concept and the ideal self, Rogers developed client-centred therapy to help people cope with the problems of everyday living.Rogers claimed that many of the issues we experience as adults, such as worthlessness and low self-esteem, have their roots in childhood and can sometimes be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard (or lack of unconditional love) from our parents.

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A parent who sets 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.Rogers saw one of his roles as an effective therapist as being able to provide his clients with the unconditional positive regard that they failed to receive as children.

Evaluation

Not Reductionist Humanists reject any attempt to break up behaviour into smaller components. How are the other approaches reductionist?

In contrast, humanists advocate HOLISM. What does this mean?

Limited Application

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Humanistic psychology has relatively little real-world application. Although Rogers therapy has revolutionised counselling techniques and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been used to explain motivation, particularly in the workplace it remains the case that the approach has limited impact on the discipline of psychology as a whole.Why?

Positive Approach Humanists have been praised for ‘bringing the person back into psychology’ and promoting the positive image of the human condition.How did Freud (Psychodynamic) see humans?

Humanistic psychology offers a refreshing optimistic alternative; it see all people as being good, free to work towards the achievement of their potential and in control of their lives.

Cultural Bias Many of the ideas that are central to humanistic psychology, such as individual freedom, autonomy and personal growth, would be more readily associated with individualistic cultures in the western cultures like USA.

Why is this an issue?

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Apply It

Joyce is a successful teacher and is well liked by her colleagues. However, Joyce has always dreamed of becoming a ballroom dancer. She spends much of her spare time with her partner practicing elaborate lifts, and can often be seen twirling around in the classroom during break times.

Joyce is considering leaving teaching and becoming a professional dancer. Her colleagues have described her plans as ‘ridiculous’, and her parents, who are very proud of the fact that their daughter is a teacher, have told Joyce that they will not talk to her again if she does. Joyce is beginning to feel sad and miserable.

QuestionReferring to features of humanistic psychology, explain how Joyce’s situation may affect her personal growth.

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