Notes on Humanistic Psychology
Jan
Armstrong, University of New Mexico
In the 1950's,
humanistic psychologists expressed philosophical resistance to
Psychoanalysis (Freud) and Behaviorism (Thorndike, Skinner). Humanistic
psychology continues to influence education, business, and counseling, but
relatively few therapists rely on it exclusively today. This page
describes some key ideas and people associated with humanistic psychology.
Practical applications of this approach are discussed elsewhere (see
below).
Humanists argue that:
- Each individual has the right to
choose how to behave; to seek fulfillment in his or her own
way.
- Everyone has the inner resources necessary for growth and
self-healing.
- It is important for people to get in touch with their
feelings.
- The therapist's goal is not to change the client, but to
remove barriers to the client's use of inner resources.
Abraham
Maslow and Carl Rogers are well known humanistic psychologists.
Abraham Maslow (1908 - 1970)
- Looked beyond pathology
- Led the Human Potential Movement of the 1950's
- Was interested in
identifying the characteristics of successful people
- Described a
"Hierarchy of Needs"
- Described Self-actualization
- Exemplifies a
Nativist perspective (inherent processes, capacities)
Carl
Rogers (1902 - 1987)
- Human quest for wellness
- Becoming fully functioning - Ideal
self --- Real self
- People can/must solve own problems
- It is
Never too late
- Creating conditions to maximize wellness, problem
solving
- Significant others
- Unconditional positive regard
- ACCEPTANCE, EMPATHY, HONESTY (authenticity, realness)
- Importance of communication
- encounter groups
- human
relations training
- Parent Effectiveness Training (PET)
- Teacher
Effectiveness Training (TET)
Applications of the Humanistic PerspectiveBack to Human Growth and Development Course Handouts
Archive