The Humanistic Approach

The focus is on studying unique subjective human experiences- "person centered approach"

People have freewill and are in control of their behaviour

Humanistic psychology emerged in the USA are around the 1950's as the 'third force' in psychilogy alongsidde the behaviourist ad psychodynamic approaches.

Two of the most influential humanistic psychologists were Abraham Malsow and Carl Rodgers who BOTH rejected the behaviourist and psychodynamic approaches for not focusing on the subjective and unique human experiences.

They both disagree with the key ideas behind behaviourism and psychodynamic approach because....

P= focusus too much on childhood experiences rather than the presentand focuses too much on the dark human instincts- pessimistic

B= uses animal studies and scientific methods to study people and focuses on observable behaviour and ignores feelings.

Humans are self-desmanding and have freewill and are not affected by external or internal influences, being 'active agents' of their future.

Humanistic psychology recognises everybody as unique individuals, each with their own needs. To understand somebody, an in-depth level of knowledge about the persons life experiences and feelings regarding the 'here and now' need to be considered.

Rogers believed that people are all essentially 'good' and human nature is positive. Rogers believed people need to be given the resources to achieve personal growth and potential in life. The key parts of Rogers' theory are as follows:

open to experiences= both positive and negative emotions are accepted. negative feelings are 'worked through'

Existential living= in touch with diffefrent experiences in life. Avoid making prejudgements and preconceptions.

Trust feelings= feelings, instincts and gut reactions are paid attention to

creativity= creative thinking and risk taking are undertaken

fufilled life= feelings of happuness and satisfaction are experienced with new challenges ande experiences being sought

Rogers believed that people need to have two basic needs:

Unconditional positive regard= this is a type of love where other people accept and love another for who theye arfe despite any faults which they may have. In childhood, the uncondtional postive regard comes from parents, which is essential in the development of producing well-adjusted adults in later life. Ppsychological problems are developed from any conditions of worth which children may have been exposed to, for example "i will love you if..."

Self-worth= this means if a person feels confident and positive about themself, faces challenges in life and accepts failure and unhappiness.

Rogers believed that a persons concept to their self (the way in which they percieve themselves) must be similar to their ideal self (the person they want to be). This congruence or similarity between the self and ideal self is what allows personal growth to occur, Incongruence however, may occur if there is a discrepancy between the self and ideal self whicfh may prevent personal growth.

Maslow believed that human motivation is also based on seeking personal growth and fulfilment. Maslow believed that humans are always in a state of 'wanting' things and divided these disires into a hierarchy of needs:

Social...

Self actualisation= morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance or facts.

Esteem= self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others and respect by others.

Love/belonging= friendship, family and sexual intimacy.

Basic...

Safety= sedcurity of: body, employment, resources, mortality, the family , health and property.

Physiological= breathing, food ,water, sex, sleep, homeostasis and excretion.

According to Mmaslosw, needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied first, and he higher up you go the more difficult they are to achieved. Although people strive towards self-actualisation, only about 1-2% ofr the population ever reach it. Life event such as loss of job or divorce may prevent people from reaching the top of the hierarchy. Self- actualisers include Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln. Self-actualisers are people who are completelty fulfilled in their life and utiise their abilities to the fullest and view life vas va series of peak experiences.