Humanistic Theories

Module 61

Humanistic Theories

"What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself" - Abraham Maslow

Abraham Maslow

April 1, 1908 - June 8, 1970

• Focused on subjective experiences, free will, and the innate drive towards self-actualization

• Created Maslow's Heriarchy of Needs
• physicological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs
• Needs lower on pyramid must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up
• Self-actualized people live in honesty, awareness, freedom, and trust

Carl Rogers

Jan 8, 1902 - Feb 4, 1907

• Agreed with main assumptions of Abraham Maslow
• But - added that for a person to grow, they require an environment that provides them with genuineness, acceptance, and empathy
• Rejected the deterministic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis and believed we behave how we do because of how we percieve our situation

Timeline

Sources

Audio Clip - 0:25 - 3:27

Additional Facts

• Humanist thinkers felt that both psychoanalysis and behaviorism were too pessimistic, either focusing on the most tragic of emotions or failing to take into account the role of personal choice
• Humanism focuses on each individual's potential and stresses the importance of growth and self-actualization

Humanistic Theories (1) human beings supersede the sum of their parts (2) human beings have their existence in a uniquely human context, as well as in a cosmic ecology (3) human beings are conscious – they are aware and aware of being aware both of oneself and in the context of other people (4) human beings have some choice and, thus, responsibility (5) human beings are intentional, aim at goals, are aware that they cause future events, and seek meaning, value, and creativity

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