Humanistic Approach

HUMANISTIC approach to personality psychology

Yari Sigler Theresa Calvin Tamara Walker November 9, 2023 Personality Development PSY-412-08

Introduction

The humanistic psychology perspective emphasizes examining the complete person and the individuality of every person. The assumption is that humans have free will and are driven to realize their potential and become self-actualized. In this presentation, you will walk with us as we explain the history behind this approach and the different branches that have come from it.

• Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and James F. T. Bugental created the humanistic learning theory in the early 1900s. Behaviorism and psychoanalysis were the common educational theories at the time, and humanism was a reaction against them.
• The basic belief of this philosophy is that every person has worth and the right to achieve self-realization through reason and rational thought.
• Unlike behaviorism and psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology studies humans' organized wholes that are best understood within the context of the environment.

History of the Humanistic Approach

Applying the Humanistic Approach

Ways the Humanistic Approach can be applied in Life: - Focusing on personal growth and self-awareness - Emphasizing the importance of human relationships and connections - Recognizing and valuing the unique experiences and perspectives of others - Encouraging self-expression and creativity - Promoting a sense of purpose and meaning in life

Ways the Humanistic Approach can be applied in Education: - Encouraging student-centered learning - Focusing on the individual needs and interests of students - Providing opportunities for self-expression and creativity - Promoting a non-judgmental and supportive learning environment - Recognizing the unique experiences and backgrounds of students

Ways the Humanistic Approach can be applied in the Workplace: - Encouraging employee autonomy and self-direction - Fostering a positive and supportive work environment - Recognizing and valuing the unique strengths and talents of employees - Providing opportunities for personal and professional growth - Promoting a work-life balance and overall well-being

Carl Rogers

(January 8, 1902 – February 4, 1987)

• Congruence Theory
• Unconditional Positive Regard Theory

Abraham Maslow

( April 1, 1908 - June 8, 1970 )Books

• A Theory of Human Motivation (1943)
• Motivation and Personality (1954)
• Toward a Psychology of Being (1962)

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs of a 5-level theory of motivation. This theory states that our actions are motivated by psychological and physiological needs.

Physiological Needs

Physiological needs are your basic and biological needs. Without these needs, your body would not be able to function. They are the most essential things a person needs to survive.

Safety Needs

Safety, or security needs, relate to a person’s need to feel safe and secure in their life and surroundings. These needs bring you stability and make you feel protected.

Love and Belonging Needs

Humans crave interaction with others. This level of the hierarchy outlines the need for friendship, intimacy, family, and love. Humans need to give and receive love, to feel like they belong in a group. When experiencing a lack of these needs, individuals may experience loneliness or depression.

Esteem Needs

Maslow broke up esteem needs into two categories: the need for respect from others and the need for respect from oneself. Respect from others relates to achieving fame, prestige, and recognition. Respect for oneself relates to dignity, confidence, competence, independence, and freedom.

Self Actualization Needs

Game time :)))))

Person-Centered Therapy

- Developed by Carl Rogers in the 1950s- Based on the belief that individuals have the capacity for self-understanding and personal growth - Emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and creating a supportive environment - Focuses on the client's subjective experience and their perception of reality - Employs active listening, empathy, and unconditional positive regard to facilitate change - Prioritizes the client's goals and needs in the therapy process - Does not rely on diagnosis or prescription of treatment - Views the client as the expert on their own experiences - Can be used in individual, group, and family therapy settings - Has been applied in a variety of contexts, including mental health, education, and business coaching

Person-Centered Therapy Example Video

Here's a visual example of how person-centered therapy works between the counselor and client. Although this is roleplay, it's very beneficial to see how person-centered therapy is being applied.

Strengths and Criticisms of the Humanistic Approach

Strengths of the Humanistic Approach

Roger's Person-Centered Therapy

• Focusses mainly on the client as the expert on their experiences
• Therapists/counselors create a positive space for clients to feel safe

• Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness
• Promotes positive change
• Non-judgmental approach

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Simple and easy to understand
• Provides a framework for personal development
• Empasizes the importance of fulfilling basic needs first
• Recognized as a widely used theory in psychology

Strengths of the Humanistic Approach

Humanistic Approach as a Whole

• Many therapists embrace Rogers’ suggestion to make their clients the center of therapy.
• Many employers and organizational psychologists are concerned about promoting job satisfaction by taking care of employees’ higher needs.
• Many teachers and parents have adopted or modified some of Rogers’ suggestions for education and child-rearing

Self-Actualization

• Emphasizes personal growth and fulfillment
• Potential for promoting positive change
• Recognizes the importance of realizing one's full potential
• Supports a sense of purpose and meaning in life

Criticisms of the Humanistic Approach

Roger's Person-Centered Therapy

• Lacks structure
• Can be too permissive, leading to a lack of progress for some clients
• May not be effective for individuals with more severe mental health issues
• Critics argue that it may not be empirically supported

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Lacks empirical evidence
• May be too rigid in categorizing needs
• Does not account for individual differences
• May not apply universally to all individuals

Criticisms of the Humanistic Approach

Self-Actualization

• Subjective and difficult to measure
• May not apply universally to all individuals
• Critics argue that it may not be empirically supported
• Can be difficult to achieve

Humanistic Approach as a Whole

• Lacks structure
• Critics argue that it may not be empirically supported
• May not be effective for individuals with more severe mental health issues
• Can be subjective and difficult to measure

References

1. Tiffany Sauber Millacci, Ph. D. (2023, October 26). Humanistic Psychology’s approach to wellbeing: 3 theories. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/humanistic-psychology/
2. Lucy, Y. Rian, K. Person-Centered Therapy. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/
3. Kolesnikova, T. Person-Centered Therapy Case Study: Examples and Analysis. Studybay. https://studybay.com/blog/person-centred-counselling-case-study-examples/

Questions?

If not, then this concludes our presentation. Thank you.