Understanding Humanistic Psychology: Key Concepts and Evaluations
School
Liberty University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PSYC 1
Subject
Psychology
Date
Dec 11, 2024
Pages
1
Uploaded by AmbassadorRock8518
Approaches revision notesApproach HUMANISTIC Key beliefsAll behaviour is a result of freewillAssumptionsCentred theory emphasised the concept of self-actualisation. Unconditional positive regard is necessary for self-actualisation.central motivation is to learn and grow.psychology should study the individual case rather than the average performance of a group.whole person should be studied in their environmental context. Key points (3/4) max in shortened notes or diagramsKey terms Client-centred therapy is an approach to psychotherapy basedon a belief that the client is best able to decide what to explore and how. It is unique in a field where the therapist characteristically acts like an expert who knows how to resolve the client's problems.Congruence: performing actions that are congruent between the real self and the ideal self. The real self is sometimes also referred to as the perceived self.Humanistic Psychology: understanding the behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and eachperson's capacity for self-determination. Free will: the notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological external forces. Self-actualisation: the desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one's full potential becoming whatyou are capable of. Self: the ideas and values that characterise I and me and includes perception and valuing of whatI am and what can I do. Conditions of worth: when a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children. Evaluations StrengthsWeaknessesNot reductionistP. rejects attempts to break up behaviour into smaller components (reductionism)E. Humanistic psychologists advocate holism, the idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering the whole person. T. suggests that the humanistic approach may have more validity than the others as it considers meaningfulhuman behaviour within real world context whilst others see humans as processing machines and stimulus and response. Lacks empirical evidenceP. approach lacks empirical evidence.E. Reductionist approaches may be more scientific as the ideal of science is the experiment. The humanistic approach have relatively few concepts that can be broken down to single variables and measured. T. This shows that the humanistic approach in general lacks empirical evidence to support its claims and so may not be the best approach when explaining behaviour. PositiveP. Humanistic approach is optimistic.E. bringing the person back into psychology and promoting a positive image of the human condition whilst Freud saw humans as prisoners of their past. T. suggests that humanistic psychology offers a refreshing and optimistic view compared to other approaches. Humanistic psychologists see all people as good, free to work towards the achievement of their own potential.Cultural biasP. may be culturally biased.E. Many of the ideas that are central to humanistic psychology, such as freedom would be associated with countries that have more individualist tendencies. Collectivist countries emphasis need of interdependence. T. suggests it is possible that this approach does not apply universally and is a product of the cultural context within which it was developed. Ideals of humanistic psychology may not be as important in some countries compared to other countries.
