Humanistic Approach

This section explores The Humanistic Approach in psychology. The Humanistic Approach in psychology, developed in the mid-20th century, emphasises personal growth, self-fulfilment, and the inherent goodness of individuals. Unlike other approaches, humanistic psychology views people as active agents in their own lives, possessing free will and the potential for self-actualisation. Major figures in humanistic psychology include Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, whose work focused on understanding human motivation, the self, and the factors that support personal growth.

Key Concepts in Humanistic Psychology

Free Will

Humanistic psychology is based on the belief that individuals have free will, meaning they have the power to make choices and control their behaviour, rather than being driven by unconscious forces or environmental determinism (as suggested by the psychodynamic and behaviourist approaches).

This approach argues that people are not simply products of their genetics or environment but have the agency to pursue meaningful goals and personal development.

Personal Responsibility: With free will comes personal responsibility, meaning that individuals are accountable for their choices and must be active participants in their own development.

Self-Actualisation and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-Actualisation: According to humanistic psychology, self-actualisation is the ultimate goal of human life, representing the process of realising one’s fullest potential and becoming the best version of oneself. Self-actualisation involves creativity, fulfilment, and peak experiences, where individuals feel at their most complete and authentic.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchical model of human needs, with self-actualisation at the top. Maslow argued that individuals must satisfy lower-level needs before they can pursue higher-level psychological growth. His hierarchy includes five levels:

Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs, such as food, water, and shelter.

Safety Needs: Protection, security, and stability in one’s life and surroundings.

Love and Belongingness Needs: Social needs, including friendships, relationships, and a sense of connection with others.

Esteem Needs: The need for self-esteem, respect, recognition, and self-worth.

Self-Actualisation: The desire to fulfil one’s unique potential and pursue personal growth.

Self-Actualisation Characteristics: Maslow noted that self-actualised individuals are autonomous, accepting of themselves and others, creative, and have a deep appreciation for life.

Focus on the Self

In humanistic psychology, the self refers to an individual’s sense of identity, comprising beliefs, values, and personal experiences. Rogers distinguished between the real self (who a person actually is) and the ideal self (who a person wants to be).

The self-concept is central to an individual's experience, influencing how they perceive and interpret the world around them. It encompasses self-esteem, self-image, and an individual’s ideal self.

Congruence

Congruence is the alignment between an individual’s self-concept and their experiences. When there is a close match between the real self and the ideal self, the person is said to be in a state of congruence, which promotes psychological health.

However, if there is a significant gap between the real self and the ideal self (incongruence), this can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and psychological distress. For example, someone who idealises being confident but feels insecure may experience frustration and anxiety.

Achieving Congruence: Rogers believed that congruence could be achieved through unconditional positive regard—acceptance and support from others without judgment. This acceptance helps individuals feel valued, promoting self-esteem and facilitating congruence between their real and ideal selves.

Conditions of Worth

Conditions of Worth refer to the expectations and standards imposed by others, which a person believes they must meet to gain approval and feel valued. Often imposed by parents, teachers, and society, these conditions can lead individuals to internalise unrealistic standards, which may conflict with their real self.

When individuals behave in ways to meet these external expectations rather than their authentic needs, they experience incongruence, hindering self-actualisation.

Example: A child who only receives praise for academic success may develop a belief that they are only valuable when they excel, leading them to suppress other aspects of their personality to meet this condition of worth.

Influence on Counselling Psychology

The humanistic approach has significantly influenced counselling psychology, particularly through client-centred therapy (also known as person-centred therapy), developed by Carl Rogers.

Client-Centred Therapy: This therapeutic approach emphasises creating a non-judgmental, supportive environment where clients feel free to express themselves. The therapist provides unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness, which are essential for fostering trust and self-acceptance.

Empathy and Active Listening: In client-centred therapy, the therapist listens carefully to the client’s experiences, showing empathy and understanding, helping clients feel accepted and safe to explore their feelings.

Self-Discovery and Growth: By reducing conditions of worth and encouraging self-acceptance, client-centred therapy aims to help individuals reconnect with their real self, fostering congruence and enabling self-actualisation.

Non-Directive Approach: In line with humanistic principles, client-centred therapy is non-directive, meaning that therapists avoid leading the client or giving advice, instead allowing clients to find their solutions and gain self-awareness.

Evaluation of the Humanistic Approach

The humanistic approach offers a unique, optimistic perspective on human nature, emphasising personal growth and free will. However, it also has its limitations.

Strengths

• Holistic Perspective: The humanistic approach views individuals as whole beings, considering the complexity of human experiences, rather than reducing behaviour to basic components.
• Practical Application: Humanistic principles have been applied successfully in therapy, education, and workplace settings, encouraging approaches that respect individuals' autonomy and potential for growth.
• Positive Focus: By focusing on personal growth, self-actualisation, and free will, humanistic psychology offers an optimistic view of human nature, encouraging self-improvement and resilience.

Limitations

• Lack of Scientific Rigor: Humanistic psychology is often criticised for lacking scientific evidence and objective measures. Concepts such as self-actualisation and conditions of worth are abstract and difficult to test empirically.
• Cultural Bias: The approach has been criticised for reflecting Western, individualistic values, focusing on personal growth and autonomy, which may not be as relevant in collectivist cultures that emphasise community and family obligations.
• Overemphasis on Free Will: Critics argue that the humanistic approach may overestimate the extent to which individuals have control over their lives, potentially overlooking the impact of social and economic factors that limit free will.

Summary

The Humanistic Approach provides an empowering perspective on psychology, viewing individuals as capable of personal growth and self-actualisation. By emphasising the role of free will, self-concept, and conditions of worth, humanistic psychology seeks to understand how individuals can achieve congruence and fulfil their potential. This approach has made lasting contributions to counselling psychology through client-centred therapy, promoting a non-judgmental, empathetic therapeutic environment that encourages self-acceptance and growth. Despite criticisms related to its scientific basis and cultural bias, humanistic psychology remains an influential and positive approach within psychology, valuing individual potential and the importance of a holistic view of human behaviour.