Humanistic Psychology - Approaches [A-Level Psychology]

Summary

This video discusses the humanistic approach to psychology, focusing on how human behavior should be studied and understood. Unlike other psychological approaches, humanists reject the idea that human behavior can be explained through simple scientific experiments or reductionist methods. Instead, they emphasize a holistic view, considering various factors that influence behavior, including free will, personal choices, and social and cultural influences. The video explores key humanistic concepts like self-actualization and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, highlighting how these ideas apply to real-world situations such as therapy and societal growth. Additionally, it critiques the approach's lack of empirical evidence and potential cultural biases.

Takeaways

• 😀 Humanists reject scientific methods in psychology, arguing that human behavior is too complex for controlled experiments.
• 😀 Unlike other psychological approaches, humanists emphasize free will and the holistic interaction of multiple factors in shaping behavior.
• 😀 Humanists believe that self-actualization, or reaching one's full potential, is the ultimate goal of human development.
• 😀 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a framework used to explain the stages of personal growth, starting with basic physiological needs and culminating in self-actualization.
• 😀 A key concept in humanistic psychology is congruence, where the perceived self and ideal self must align for an individual to achieve self-actualization.
• 😀 Unconditional positive regard is essential for helping individuals become congruent and realize their full potential.
• 😀 Client-centered therapy, based on humanistic principles, focuses on the present and encourages clients to find their own solutions to problems.
• 😀 Humanistic psychology offers a more holistic understanding of behavior, acknowledging the interaction of multiple factors like biology, environment, and individual choice.
• 😀 Despite rejecting scientific methods, humanistic psychology has practical applications in therapy, business, education, and healthcare, focusing on personal growth and well-being.
• 😀 A potential criticism of humanistic psychology is its cultural bias, as its principles are rooted in Western individualistic perspectives, potentially overlooking collectivist values in other cultures.

Q & A

What is the core difference between humanists and other psychologists regarding the scientific method?

Humanists reject the idea that psychology can be studied scientifically, arguing that human behavior is too complex for simple cause-and-effect experiments. Other psychologists, such as cognitive and social learning theorists, attempt to use controlled experiments to make inferences about internal mental processes.

Why do humanists believe that simplistic psychological explanations are problematic?

Humanists argue that explanations like the presence or absence of a gene or learned responses are too reductionist. They believe that behavior is influenced by many interacting factors, and only a holistic approach that includes all these factors can truly explain human behavior.

What does it mean for a psychological explanation to be 'holistic' according to humanists?

A holistic explanation considers all the factors that influence behavior, such as biological, environmental, cultural, and social influences, and examines how these factors interact with each other. Humanists reject reductionist approaches that simplify behavior to a single cause.

Why do humanists prefer case studies over experiments in psychological research?

Humanists prefer case studies because they allow for a deeper understanding of the complexity and individuality of human experiences. Case studies allow researchers to explore the unique influences on a person's behavior, whereas experiments aim to isolate variables, which humanists believe is inadequate for capturing the full complexity of human behavior.

What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and how does it relate to self-actualization?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a pyramid that illustrates the order in which humans need to satisfy their needs to reach self-actualization. The needs start with basic physiological needs, followed by safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and culminate in self-actualization, where individuals achieve their full potential.

Can you explain the concept of congruence in Carl Rogers' humanistic psychology?

Congruence, in Carl Rogers' humanistic psychology, occurs when a person's self-concept aligns with their ideal self. If there is a gap between how a person perceives themselves and how they wish to be, they are in-congruent and cannot achieve self-actualization.

What is the role of 'unconditional positive regard' in Carl Rogers' approach to therapy?

Unconditional positive regard is the acceptance and support a therapist provides to a client, regardless of their actions or beliefs. This helps clients develop a healthier self-concept, enabling them to overcome incongruence and achieve self-actualization.

What is the focus of client-centered therapy in humanistic psychology?

Client-centered therapy focuses on the present and future, not the past. The therapist's role is to support the client in finding their own solutions to their problems rather than providing direct instructions. This therapy aims to help the client become congruent and achieve self-actualization.

How has Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs been applied outside the field of psychology?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has been applied in fields such as business, sports, education, and healthcare. It is used to understand what it takes to perform at one's peak and to create more holistic treatments, particularly in healthcare.

What is a criticism of the humanistic approach regarding cultural bias?

A criticism of the humanistic approach is that it is culturally biased, reflecting a Western, individualistic perspective common in 1960s America. The focus on self-actualization through personal success may be less applicable in collectivist cultures, where community and group success are prioritized.