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The Humanistic Approach

Key Humanistic Principles

1

Person-Centred View

Emphasises free will and the subjective experience.
2

Self-Actualisation

Maslow's ultimate goal of realising one’s potential.
3

Congruence

Rogers’ concept of aligning self-image and ideal self.

The Humanistic Viewpoint

Contrast and Focus

The humanistic approach offers a more optimistic and person-centred view compared to behaviourism or psychodynamics. It emphasises free will, personal growth, and the subjective experience. The approach focuses on subjective, conscious experiences and the uniqueness of each individual, opposing scientific objectivity and reductionism seen in other approaches.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow proposed a motivational theory outlining five levels that must be met sequentially.

1

Physiological needs

Food, water, shelter.
2

Safety needs

Security, stability.
3

Love and belongingness needs

Relationships and social connections.
4

Esteem needs

Confidence, respect, achievement.
5

Self-actualisation

Realising one’s potential and becoming the best version of oneself.

Core Axiom: Free Will

Humans are active agents who have free will to choose their actions and shape their lives.
This contrasts with the deterministic view of behaviourism or biological approaches, which see behaviour as controlled by external or internal forces. People are responsible for their own development and psychological health.

Key Terminology

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Self-Actualisation

Realising one’s potential and becoming the best version of oneself.
🔀

Congruence

Alignment between self-image (how they see themselves) and the ideal self.
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Conditions of Worth

Only feeling valued if they behave in certain ways.
❤️

Unconditional Positive Regard

Acceptance and support regardless of behaviour.

Rogers on Self-Concept

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Wait, what happens if my self-image doesn't align with my ideal self?
😰
If there is a gap between self-image and ideal self, incongruence causes psychological distress and anxiety.

Growth vs. Limitation

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The Path to Growth (Therapy) Therapy aims to provide unconditional positive regard (acceptance and support regardless of behaviour), helping clients reduce conditions of worth and increase congruence.
❌
The Limitation (Conditions of Worth) Rogers highlighted that many people develop conditions of worth imposed by parents or society, only feeling valued if they behave in certain ways. These conditions limit personal growth and create incongruence.

Pro Tip for Well-Being

💡

Achieving Self-Actualisation: Self-actualisation is the highest level; only when lower needs in the hierarchy are met can a person focus on personal growth.

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Humanistic Approach Deck
Term
Main Focus of Humanistic Approach

What is the main focus of the humanistic approach?

Answer
Definition

It emphasizes free will, personal growth, and subjective experience.

Term
View of Free Will

How does the humanistic approach view free will?

Answer
Explanation

Humans have free will to choose their actions and shape their lives.

Term
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer
Definition

A motivational theory with five levels of needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualisation.

Term
Self-Actualisation

What is self-actualisation?

Answer
Explanation

The highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy, where a person realises their full potential.

Term
Carl Rogers' Congruence

What does Carl Rogers mean by congruence?

Answer
Definition

The alignment between self-image and ideal self, leading to psychological well-being.

Term
Conditions of Worth

What are conditions of worth?

Answer
Explanation

Expectations from others that cause someone to feel valued only if they behave in certain ways.

Term
Humanistic Therapy

How does humanistic therapy help?

Answer
Explanation

By offering unconditional positive regard to reduce conditions of worth and increase congruence.

Term
Differences from Behaviourism

How does the humanistic approach differ from behaviourism?

Answer
Explanation

It takes a more optimistic, person-centred view focusing on conscious experience, not just external behavior.

Term
Causes of Incongruence

What causes incongruence in the humanistic approach?

Answer
Explanation

A gap between self-image and ideal self.

Term
Unconditional Positive Regard

What is unconditional positive regard?

Answer
Definition

Acceptance and support without conditions, important in humanistic therapy.

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🌸 Humanistic Approach Quiz

1. What does the humanistic approach emphasize?

The humanistic approach highlights conscious choice and self-development, unlike deterministic views.

2. Which is the correct order of needs in Maslow’s hierarchy from lowest to highest?

Maslow’s hierarchy starts with basic survival needs progressing to personal growth.

3. What does congruence refer to in Carl Rogers’ theory?

Congruence indicates psychological harmony when self-perception matches one’s ideal.

4. Which therapy technique is associated with the humanistic approach?

Rogers promoted unconditional acceptance to foster growth and reduce conditions of worth.

5. According to humanistic psychology, what is the cause of psychological distress?

Psychological discomfort arises when who we see ourselves as differs from who we want to be.

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