〰 Humanism & Psychology 〰
WEEK 5
Objectives:
Identify impetus for and assumptions of humanism
Articulate Rogers views on self concept, development and defensive behaviour
Explain Maslows hierarchy of needs and summarise his findings on self-actualizing people
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the humanistic approach
Behaviourism & Psychoanalysis were unappealing to many & argument was that both
schools dehumanised. They were criticised bc they argued ppl not in control of their own
emotions.
What is Humanism ?
- An approach in psychology that recognises the individual playing an
active role in the effort to achieve their potential (self actualisation)
- Emphasises the unique qualities of humans especially their freedom.
- Emphasises that individual needs be studied as a whole, with
recognition of the importance of people's subjective experience of
themselves (their self-concept)
Origin of Humanism:
Psychoanalysis Behaviourism Humanism
Sigmund Freud John B. Watson Carl Rogers
Deterministic view of Deterministic view of Emphasises human
human behaviour. human behaviour. motivation &
*Deterministic View = behaviour self-determination -
determined by factors which
individual is active in
we can do nothing about.
the pursuit of
self-actualisation
(fulfilling their potential)
Human behaviour Human behaviour Human behaviour
determined by internal determined by determined by internal
factors: Drives and external factors: & external factors -
conflict between drives Stimuli and focus on the whole
beyond the awareness conditioning individual.
of control.
Emphasises the Emphasises the Emphasises the
therapeutic importance therapeutic therapeutic importance
of understanding the reinforcement & of the relationship
unconscious. importance of between therapist &
reinforcement and client.
punishment. *Similar to the psychodynamic
theory which also emphasises
this relationship, with
countertransference and
transference. / This is not the
sole focus but a part of
Psychodynamic Theory.
1
, Humanism:
- Theories by Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow.
- Rogers = behaviour governed by each individuals sense of self / self
concept.
- Both maintained: to fully understand peoples behaviour, psychologists
must take into account the fundamental drive toward personal growth.
- Asserted: all people have a basic need to fulfilt their potential & argued
that many psychological disturbances are the result of thwarting these
uniquely human needs.
- Both believed:
- People can rise above primitive animal heritage
- People are largely conscious & rational beings, not dominated by
unconscious, irrational conflicts.
- People are not helpess pawns to deterministic forces.
- L.d Holdstick argued thay psych needed to become more sensitive to the
African population. 2 yrs later the early form of critical psychology
manifested in SA, allowing for acadmeic engagement w previously taboo
racial topics.
Theory of Motivation:
● Abraham Harold Maslow (1908-1970)
○ A very optimistic view of the person - focuses on healthy
functioning.
○ Emphasizes human potential - an individuals ultimate goal is to
achieve their full potential.
○ Focuses on understanding why some people are exceptional / self
actualizers. (*Why some & not all, How did they do it?)
○ Self actualization is the motive that underlies all behaviour.
(Desire to fulfil potential)
○ Maslow: Behaviour can be explained in terms of need gratification
(needs & the desire to satisfy) - the basis of growth.
○ These needs & the need to gratify, drives humans towards
self-actualization.
○ Depend on the environment for need gratification.
○ Basic human needs are arranged in a hierarchy:
2
WEEK 5
Objectives:
Identify impetus for and assumptions of humanism
Articulate Rogers views on self concept, development and defensive behaviour
Explain Maslows hierarchy of needs and summarise his findings on self-actualizing people
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the humanistic approach
Behaviourism & Psychoanalysis were unappealing to many & argument was that both
schools dehumanised. They were criticised bc they argued ppl not in control of their own
emotions.
What is Humanism ?
- An approach in psychology that recognises the individual playing an
active role in the effort to achieve their potential (self actualisation)
- Emphasises the unique qualities of humans especially their freedom.
- Emphasises that individual needs be studied as a whole, with
recognition of the importance of people's subjective experience of
themselves (their self-concept)
Origin of Humanism:
Psychoanalysis Behaviourism Humanism
Sigmund Freud John B. Watson Carl Rogers
Deterministic view of Deterministic view of Emphasises human
human behaviour. human behaviour. motivation &
*Deterministic View = behaviour self-determination -
determined by factors which
individual is active in
we can do nothing about.
the pursuit of
self-actualisation
(fulfilling their potential)
Human behaviour Human behaviour Human behaviour
determined by internal determined by determined by internal
factors: Drives and external factors: & external factors -
conflict between drives Stimuli and focus on the whole
beyond the awareness conditioning individual.
of control.
Emphasises the Emphasises the Emphasises the
therapeutic importance therapeutic therapeutic importance
of understanding the reinforcement & of the relationship
unconscious. importance of between therapist &
reinforcement and client.
punishment. *Similar to the psychodynamic
theory which also emphasises
this relationship, with
countertransference and
transference. / This is not the
sole focus but a part of
Psychodynamic Theory.
1
, Humanism:
- Theories by Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow.
- Rogers = behaviour governed by each individuals sense of self / self
concept.
- Both maintained: to fully understand peoples behaviour, psychologists
must take into account the fundamental drive toward personal growth.
- Asserted: all people have a basic need to fulfilt their potential & argued
that many psychological disturbances are the result of thwarting these
uniquely human needs.
- Both believed:
- People can rise above primitive animal heritage
- People are largely conscious & rational beings, not dominated by
unconscious, irrational conflicts.
- People are not helpess pawns to deterministic forces.
- L.d Holdstick argued thay psych needed to become more sensitive to the
African population. 2 yrs later the early form of critical psychology
manifested in SA, allowing for acadmeic engagement w previously taboo
racial topics.
Theory of Motivation:
● Abraham Harold Maslow (1908-1970)
○ A very optimistic view of the person - focuses on healthy
functioning.
○ Emphasizes human potential - an individuals ultimate goal is to
achieve their full potential.
○ Focuses on understanding why some people are exceptional / self
actualizers. (*Why some & not all, How did they do it?)
○ Self actualization is the motive that underlies all behaviour.
(Desire to fulfil potential)
○ Maslow: Behaviour can be explained in terms of need gratification
(needs & the desire to satisfy) - the basis of growth.
○ These needs & the need to gratify, drives humans towards
self-actualization.
○ Depend on the environment for need gratification.
○ Basic human needs are arranged in a hierarchy:
2
