Humanistic Psychology

Besides beings educated on the psychodynamic techniques, a theory a student can gain more practice in is humanistic therapy. This theory involves establishing a secure/trusting duel relationship and focuses on the current or future aspects, instead of the past issues. In addition, this approach targets the human’s self-actualization and growth in regards to making the client aware of their freedom and potential to grow and develop. A population that benefits from this type of foundation is adolescent and emerging adults. Pearce, Sewell, Cooper, Osman, Fugard, and Pybis (2017) address how the youth is experiencing more moderate to serve levels of emotional distress. A humanistic technique that is beneficial for this type of clientele is the

There can be many criticisms for humanistic therapy. This approach can be thought of as too positive at times, in regards to human behavior. With a humanistic approach individuals are assumed to be naturally good and will decide to follow the most positive way of doing things, by either making themselves and the world around them a better place (Mcleod, 2015). Choice and free will at times can be limited to some people, which then can make the application of this approach difficult.

The psychologists all over the world uses different approaches for developing the desired methodologies for analysing their research. These different methodological approaches are humanistic and scientific approaches. It is said by different researchers that humanistic approach used for understanding the psychology focuses on the acceptance of free-will for reaching towards unique development of understandings that can be used for studying and controlling the psychology of human (Gerrig, et al., 2015). Still, there are different researchers who had opposed the use of humanistic approach for understanding the psychology of the living beings.

Humanism, in the broad sense, means valuing the human being and the human condition. In this sense, it is related to generosity, compassion and concern for the valuation of human attributes and relationships.

Humanistic Psychology is a psychological sub-field which became prominent in the 20th century as a response to the limitations of the psychoanalytic theory and behaviorism (Cherry, n.d.). The main purpose is to help patients gain a belief that all people are inheritably good. Its roots starts with Socrates and emphasizes an individual’s inherent drive towards self-actualization. Humanistic psychology utilizes a holistic approach to human existence and focuses on things such as creativity, free will, and a positive human potential. It encourages a self-awareness and mindfulness that helps change the client’s behavior from one of reaction to one with more productive self-awareness and thoughtful actions. When first developed humanistic psychology was known as third-force psychology so that it could be distinguished from the less humanistic approaches Sigmund Freud and B.F. Skinner (Hall, 2007).

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two psychological, theories on humanistic theory. Humanistic psychology focuses on a person as whole. This aspect of psychology concerned with human potential of development, understanding, knowledge attainment and motivation (). Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers are two of the founders of humanistic psychology. Both theories emphasized that the basic physiological needs, in terms of survival, have to be satisfied before an individual can begin to achieve their full potential.

Humanistic psychologists believe that an individual's behaviour is associated to the inner feelings and self-perception. These psychologists look at human behaviour not only through the eyes of the observer, but also through the individual doing the behaving. Humanistic theory is based upon the concept that every individual has the potential to make a contribution to society if their requirements have been accomplished

positive state of mind rather that “l am sick” frame of mind. In order words

The main contributors of this perspective are Carl Rogers, Rollo May, and Abraham Maslow. Humanism studies human behavior of the whole person through the eyes of the person doing the behaving. This perspective says that people have the freedom to choose their own destiny in to achieve self-actualization. Rogers believes that it is the study of the self; real self vs ideal self. Maslow says that us humans are always trying to reach our best self. The humanistic approach is a rebellion against the limitation of the behaviorist and psychodynamic psychology. The humanistic approach is thus often called the “third force” in psychology after psychoanalysis and behaviorism (Maslow, 1968).

During my earlier years as undergraduate, I recall being very interested in the humanistic approach to psychotherapy, simply because it was congenial to the person I was at that time. I was deeply interested in the concepts of free will, self-concept, self-actualization, and most importantly, conditions of worth. In addition, when I considered the type of therapist I would have been the most willing to do therapeutic work with, I tended to think of a therapist with a humanistic orientation. However, I was quite naïve and discredited the other theoretical orientations.

The word humanism has a number of meanings, and because authors and speakers often don't clarify which meaning they intend, those trying to explain humanism can easily become a

Historically, humanism finds its roots in the mid-20th century. Abraham Maslow developed his hierarchical theory of motivation in 1943. Carl Rogers published person centered therapy in 1946. In the 1950’s, Maslow and Clark Moustakas invited others to meetings among other psychologists interested in forming an association dedicated to a more humanistic perspective.

Psychology is by nature dynamic. This can be attributed to the aspect that it directly relates and endeavours to explain humanity and human beings are the most dynamic of all the things that exist on earth. In fact, they are the genesis of the changes and diversities experienced in different areas of life. Therefore, anything that directly relates to human beings cannot evade dynamism. In the context of humanism and modern psychology, changes have been witnessed in these fields of psychology. Humanism is a psychological approach that explains, holistically, the individual uniqueness of each individual. It mostly emphasizes on studying the whole being of a human being. It is a psychological approach that analyzes the uniqueness of an individual by looking into the way such an individual perceives himself. Two components are outstanding regarding this approach that it is based on self-concept and believes a human being’s behaviour is highly integrated with the inner feelings. Its existence is based on the limitations of observed in the psychology of behaviourists and psychodynamics. In fact, humanism is the basis for modern psychology. This is because it investigates the meanings values and freedoms surrounding the tragedies, responsibilities and potential of human beings. The aspects of spirituality and self-actualization are also very imminent in the concept of humanism. However, like any other concept of psychology, its

It is a world view that gives answer to the questions about human beings such as, the place of humans in the universe, relations to each other and to other creatures on earth and many more at the micro-level of human lives. Humanism is a basis human values, ethics and morality. However, there are differences between humanism and other forms of religion, as there are also differences between religions as we all know. There is another important difference between religion and humanism that is, the role of science. I would consider thinking the fact that humanism is superior then the religion in the sense that humanism accepts established outcomes of science. In this respect humanism is not an ideology because if something turns out to be a fact, then it will be accepted. The ultimate truth as written in the religious books can’t accept as is rather should be open to

Humanism is the view that psychologies goal should be to understand human strengths, aspirations, conscious experience, free will, and potential. The founder of Humanism, Maslow believed that we can achieve this by climbing throughout the ranks of his Hierarchy of needs and after doing so we can achieve true self actualization. What really is self actualization? Self actualization is the belief that when we first fulfill our physiological need which is pretty much the base of this principle, then attain our need for safety, then love, then self-esteem, and then self actualization is met (Source A). Self actualization is our full realization of our hopes and dreams (Source D) Humanism has a great impact on the people of this world. With further understanding we may understand what it really means.