Section 1 : Summary

The humanistic theory is based on individuals having free-will and that individuals can actively develop oneself
to a higher potential and reach self- actualisation. The humanistic theory focuses on the conscious as opposed
to the unconscious. This theory also presents the fact that individuals are inherently good, and can self-
motivate themselves to improve and this due to attaining self- actualisation. The first major theorist was
Abraham Maslow, who formed the hierarchy of needs which can be depicted using a pyramid. Maslow
believed that only 1% of people reach self- actualisation. The second theorist was Carl Rogers, who developed
Maslow’s idea and the qualities he described, says that they are nurtured early in life. Roger’s believed that
self- actualisation is a constant growth process that is nurtured in a growth – promoting climate.

Two conditions are used to meet this growth to self- actualisation. The first being that growth can only be
nurtured when an individual is being genuine, therefore one has to be open in revealing themselves fully by
genuinely being true to who they are and the second being that growth is nurtured through acceptance, an
acceptance from others through unconditional positive regard. Personality is developed when individuals have
genuine relationship with others and the acceptance is what allows for the real self to reach their full potential
opposed by the ideal self which is bounded by conditions that individuals rarely live up to.

Both theorists believe that a central feature of our personality is one’s self concept. This can only be achieved
when an individual brings genuineness and acceptance together and achieve this growth – promoting climate.
Therefore, both theorists believed that as individuals we tend to act and perceive the world positively by trying
to answer the question, who am I?

Section 2 : Evaluation

Self- actualisation is an essential part of the humanistic approach and perspectives engage on the varies
factors that human behaviour has on the development of personality from driven individual striving for
change, (Carl, Lyon, Harold, Tausch & Reinhard, 2013). The major strengths in the humanistic theory in general
is that it makes clients feel positive. In modern psychology, a recent ongoing movement in psychology in
relation to the humanist theory is positive psychology, that essentially based on helping individuals live
healthier and happier lives, (Waterman, 2013). Also similar to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, individuals have
been seen to increase motivation in relation to their needs and therefore, feelings of positivity are seen to
focus more on healthy behaviours rather than issues or problems and helping clients reach self- actualisation,
(Angus, Watson, Elliott, Schneider & Timulak, 2014).

However, limitations to this theory in accordance to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is that it has been seen by
many humanist theorists as too restrictive, suggesting that a person’s needs are not met at a certain level of
the pyramid then they cannot advance further to reach self- actualisation. This can lead to the development of
personality being restricted to negative personality traits as there is no explanation for excellence despite
missing lower levels leading to certain characteristics of self-actualisation, such as morality and creativity,
(Polkinghorne, 2015). This can be due to the fact that also each individual is unique and requires a particular
set of needs in order to develop their personality. In relation to Roger’s client- centred theory, this part of the
humanistic theory seems to only focus on healthy behaviour as being over and above the positivity spectrum
and it may not solve real underlying issues of negative behaviour as it has been seen that personality is not
constant to one construct and different traits can develop and remodel a person’s behaviour,
(Schneider,2015).

Section 3 : Reflectivity

Personally, I believe that the humanistic approach is very positive and explains humanity very convincingly.
With openness, empathy and a genuinely positive environment any individual can develop a congruent view of
themselves and who they are. This can actually help people move forward to self- actualisation. I believe that
humanistic theory did not address the negative aspects brought about by personality and hence restricts the
process in understanding one’s own personality and how to fit into society thereafter. For example, when
family or friends offer opposing perspectives, this behaviour will contribute to one’s overall personality as
environmental factors may encourage or discourage self- actualisation to take place and distort one’s concept.

References

Carl. R, Lyon, Harold C., Tausch, Reinhard. (2013) ,On Becoming an Effective Teacher - Person-cantered
Teaching, Psychology, Philosophy, and Dialogues with Carl R. Rogers and Harold Lyon. London: Rutledge.

Waterman A.,S. (2013). The humanistic psychology-positive psychology divide: contrasts in philosophical
foundations. Am Psychol, 68(3):124-33. doi:10.1037/a0032168.

Angus, L., Watson, J. C., Elliott, R., Schneider, K., & Timulak, L. (2014). Humanistic psychotherapy research
1990–2015: From methodological innovation to evidence-supported treatment outcomes and
beyond.Psychotherapy Research, 25, 330–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2014.989290.

Polkinghorne, D. E. (2015). The self and humanistic psychology. In K. J. Schneider, J. F. Pierson, & J. F. T.
Bugental (Eds.), Handbook of humanistic psychology (2nd ed., pp. 87–104). Los Angeles: Sage.

Schneider, K. J. (2015). Rediscovering awe: A new front in humanistic psychology, psychotherapy, and society.
In K. J. Schneider, J. F. Pierson, & J. F. T. Bugental (Eds.), Handbook of humanistic psychology (2nd ed., pp. 73–
81). Los Angeles: Sage.