This document covers all elements of the Humanistic Approach in psychology including assumptions, studies, strengths and weaknesses. It provides both information and inspiration to those who struggle with writing and organising notes.
Humanistic psychology is a perspective that emphasises looking at the whole person, and
the uniqueness of each individual. Humanistic psychologists see humans as affected by
external and internal influences but self-determining (have free-will). Psychology should
concern itself with subjective experience rather than general laws as we are all unique - a
person-centred approach. The humanistic movement developed in America in the early 1950s. It
was termed the ‘third force’ since it aimed to replace the two main approaches
- Behaviourism and Psychoanalysis. Humanism was intended to offer a less deterministic
and artificial approach and its theories are concerned with human experiences, uniqueness,
meaning, freedom and choice.
Assumptions:
Humans have free will and not all behaviour is determined.
All individuals are unique and are motivated to achieve their potential.
A proper understanding of human behaviour can only be achieved by studying
humans, not animals.
Psychology should study the individual case (idiographic) rather than the average
performance of groups (nomothetic).
Free Will
This is the notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or
external forces. Humanistic psychology is quite different from the other approaches by
claiming that human beings are self-determining and have free will. Personal agency is the
humanistic term for the exercise of free will. This does not mean that people are not affected
by external or internal influences but we are active agents who have the ability to determine
our own development. A personal agency refers to the choices we make in life, the paths we
go down and their consequences.
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow believed that humans are motivated by needs beyond those of basic biological
survival. Fundamental to human nature is the desire to grow and develop to achieve our full
potential - referred to as ‘self-actualisation’. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs the four lower
levels (deficiency needs such as food, water and safety) must be met before the individual
(baby, child or adult) can work towards self-actualisation - a growth need. Self-actualisation
refers to the innate tendency that each of us has to want to achieve our full potential and
become the best we can possibly be. Maslow’s theory emphasises uniquely human
motivational factors - higher level needs are a later evolutionary development of the human
species.
Carl Rogers (1902-1987):
Carl Rogers was a humanistic psychologist and one of the pioneering founders of the
humanistic approach who agreed with the main assumptions of Abraham Maslow.
However, Rogers added that for a person to grow, they need an environment that
provides them with genuineness, acceptance, and empathy. He moved away from
traditional psychoanalysis & developed client-centred psychotherapy.
Congruence:
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