1. The Self

2. Humanistic theory: key concepts
True or False
“Uniqueness: where people are basically the same.”
False: the word ‘unique’ implies people are different.
“Free will: the ability to determine your own actions and thoughts.”
True
“Self concept: the person you think you are.”
“Ideal self: the person you would like to be.”

3. Humanistic theory: key concepts
True or False
“Self-esteem: a measure of how much you value yourself.”
True
“Unconditional positive regard: showing someone love and respect on the condition they do something you want.”
False: showing love and respect regardless.
“Self-actualisation: realising who you are.”
False: realising your full potential.

4. Humanistic theory of self
Each person as an individual.
Everyone is essentially good.
Everyone has the power to control their own destiny.
A person’s view of their self affects self-esteem.
Self-esteem is low if the self-concept and ideal self do not match.
Unconditional positive regard can help to raise a person’s self-esteem by giving them a better view of themselves.
With unconditional positive regard a person can self-actualise.

5. Criticisms of the humanistic theory
It focuses too much on the individual.
How do we measure and
test things like the ideal
self and self-actualisation?
How can we make
generalisations about
human behaviour?
It is based on concepts
which are too subjective.
How do we explain
behaviours that seem to
be predetermined by our
genes?
It assumes that everything
is within our control.

6. Alternative theory: trait theory
The theory is that our personalities are more innate and made up of a
number of relatively fixed traits that we share with others.
For example, traits can be categorised as extravert or neurotic.
NEUROTIC
EXTRAVERT
sociable
anxious
big headed
risk taking
sensitive
hypochondriac

7. Core study: Van Houtte & Jarvis (1995)
1. How were children divided up in this study?
Pet owners vs non-pet owners.
2. What three factors were the two groups matched on?
Marital status of parents, socio-economic status of parents, number of siblings.
3. What four measures were used in the questionnaire?
Autonomy, self-concept, self-esteem, and attachment to animals.
4. Which group of children showed higher self-esteem?
Pet owners.
5. In theory, what are pets supposed to offer in Humanistic terms?
Unconditional positive regard.

8. Limitations of core study
Questionnaires rely on self-report…
so participant could have lied, exaggerated or lacked insight – especially since quite difficult concepts were being measured.
Only quantitative data was collected…
but concepts to do with the self are too complex to be summarised by numbers.
The sample was not representative…
and so findings cannot be easily generalised to other ages, ethnic groups or cultures.

9. Applying humanistic theory: counselling Counsellors should offer a number of qualities to their clients based on Humanistic principles. Can you work out what the qualities are by solving the following anagrams?
good listener
empathy
genuine
non-directive
non-judgemental
dogo restline
paythem
uengine
onn-triedvice
nno-jetangelmud

10. Applying Humanistic Theory: Counselling
Counsellors should offer a number of qualities to their clients based on Humanistic principles.
Can you work out what the qualities are by solving the following anagrams?
dogo restline
good listener
paythem
empathy
uengine
genuine
onn-triedvice
non-directive
nno-jetangelmud
non-judgemental