Humanistic Theories Module 57 Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow

Humanistic Perspective A perspective that focuses on the study of conscious experience and the individual’s self awareness and freedom to choose. Interested in the capacity for personal growth & self- fulfillment with an emphasis on human potential. Sees people as innately good. Studied fulfilled and healthy individuals rather than troubled people Felt other theories were too deterministic and denied the importance of free will

Abraham Maslow Self-Actualization

Abraham Maslow ( ) Humanistic psychologist who developed the hierarchy of needs Self-Actualization - the need to live up to one’s fullest and unique potential Believed that self-actualization & self- transcendence is the ultimate psychological need of reaching one’s potential.

Self-Actualization Studied healthy, creative people known for productive lives Characteristics include: –Self aware and self accepting –Open, spontaneous, loving, and caring –Not paralyzed by other’s opinions –Focused on solving problems –Focused on a particular task –Inspired by spiritual or peak experiences

Hierarchy of Needs Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, beginning at the base with physiological needs, proceeding through safety needs and then to psychological needs Higher-level needs won’t become active until lower-level needs have been satisfied.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Another Way to Think about the Hierarchy of Needs

Carl Rogers Person-Centered Approach

Carl Rogers ( ) Humanistic psychologist who stressed the importance of acceptance, genuineness, and empathy in fostering human growth

Carl Rogers Person-Centered Perspective Key Terms Actualizing tendency—the most basic human motive that is the innate drive to maintain and enhance ourselves People are basically good Need a growth-promoting climate to reach your potential Self-concept—how you think about yourself Positive regard—conditional and unconditional – the sense of be loved and valued by other people.

Growth Promoting Climate 3 Conditions needed to create this: 1.Genuineness – being open and honest about your feelings 2.Acceptance – willingness to accept a person despite their failings or shortcomings (unconditional positive regard) 3.Empathy – Mirror another’s feelings (active listening)

Genuineness Freely expressing one’s feelings and not being afraid to disclose details about oneself (honesty)

Conditional Positive Regard Person is valued and loved only when the he/she behaves in a way that is acceptable to others. –I will love you IF you get good grades. Can lead to incongruence – a state in which a child’s self- concept conflicts with their own experience. Rogers did not believe in permissive parenting. He said parents can disapprove of a behavior without completely rejecting the child.

Unconditional Positive Regard An attitude of total acceptance toward another person despite their faults and failings This is needed for one to grow up healthy and be congruent. Based on genuineness, empathy & acceptance

Empathy Sharing thoughts and understanding Listening and reflecting the other person’s feelings – demonstrated through active listening

Empathy through Active Listening

When you have Genuineness, Acceptance & Empathy… Self-Concept – Your thoughts & feelings about yourself will be POSITIVE! Real Self – How you currently see yourself Ideal Self – The person we’d like to be Congruence – A person’s sense of self is consistent with their emotions & experiences.

Know, Accept & Be True to Yourself When your actual self (self concept) is similar to your ideal self then you can become congruent and can then go on to be self-actualized Self-Concept = Ideal Self Self-Actualization

Evaluating the Humanistic Perspective

Pros of Humanism Humanism has influenced therapy, child- rearing, education, workplace management Laid the foundation for positive psychology – studying what is right about people

Criticisms of Humanism Difficult to test or validate scientifically Too subjective – just reflects Roger’s & Maslow’s own values and ideals Tends to be too optimistic – how does it explain human cruelty? Too much focus on individualism – it’s all about doing what’s best and satisfying to me

Comparing Rogers to Freud Rogers – Viewed people as positive, forward- moving, constructive, realistic and trustworthy. –People are innately good –Humans will choose to act in ways that serve to improve society and perpetuate the human race. Freud – Pessimistically viewed humans as hostile, antisocial, destructive & evil –We need society restraints/laws to keep humans in line and prevent the destruction of the human race.