The Humanistic Perspective

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Introduction

Humanistic psychology emerged as a third force during the late 1950’s in the United States as an alternative to the deterministic orientations of behaviourism and psychoanalysis. There was a powerful element of European existentialism and phenomenology present in the earliest years of development, but humanistic psychology has now developed into an eclectic movement that attracts a diverse range of theorists.

Humanistic psychology’s emphasis on the possibility of personal growth and change found immediate acceptance. The methodology applied by humanistic psychologists tends to use alternatives to those focusing on quantification and scientific rigour, but often produces useful data. The humanistic perspective is not applied universally, perhaps because of its emphasis on the individual and its optimistic view of human potential.

Essential Questions (Learning Outcomes):

  • Describe and evaluate relevant theories and empirical studies related to humanistic psychology
  • Explain how cultural, ethical, gender, and methodological considerations affect the interpretation of behaviour in humanistic psychology and health psychology.
  • Describe and evaluate specific methodologies used in humanistic psychology.
  • Describe and evaluate application of research findings and theories in humanistic psychology.
  • Identify and compare the strengths and limitations of humanistic explanations of behaviour.
  • Explain the extent to which free will and determinism are integral to this perspective.
  • Explain the extent to which human behaviour is self-directed.
  • Explain and evaluate the assumption that individuals are able to achieve their maximum potential.
Content:
Historical Development and Cultural Context
Application
    • A response to the deterministic perspectives
    • The rise of existentialism
    • A changing society - the Vietnam war and the Hippie movement
    • The role of the Holocaust
    • Client-centered therapy
    • Fighting burnout in athletes
    • Open Education
Key Concepts
Methodology
    • The Hierarchy of Needs
    • The Phenomenological Approach
    • The importance of meaning
    • Flow/Peak experiences
  • Self-report devices: Interviews and questionnaires
  • Content analysis: Q-sorts & Case studies
  • Credibility and transferability
  • Ethical considerations
Basic Assumptions
Strengths and weaknesses
  • Humans are intrinsically good.
  • Humans have free will; not all behaviour is determined
  • All individuals are unique and have an innate drive to achieve their maximum potential
  • A proper understanding of human behaviour can only be achieved by studying humans - not animals.
  • Psychology should research areas that are meaningful and important to human existence, not neglect them because they are too difficult. Psychology should be applied to enrich human life.
  • Psychology should study internal experience as well as external behaviour.
  • Psychology should study the individual case (idiographic) rather than the average performance of groups (nomothetic).
  • The whole person should be studied in their environmental context.
  • Highlights the value of more individualistic and idiographic methods of study.
  • Emphasizes the importance of self-actualization, responsibility, freedom of choice, and social context in therapy.
  • Their belief in free will is in opposition to the deterministic laws of science.
  • They seek the unique aspects of individuals, rather than producing generalized laws of behaviour.
  • They investigate issues such as emotion and consciousness which are difficult to study objectively.
  • There is some question as to the cross-cultural relevance of the highly individualistic approach.
  • Qualitative data provides more holistic information, but also is more difficult to apply.
Theorists to know: Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Victor Frankl, Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, Abraham Maslow

Fundamentals of the Humanistic Perspective

Applications and explanations of behaviour