Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology is a perspective that emphasizes looking at the whole individual

and stresses concepts such as free will, self-efficacy, and self-actualization. Rather than
concentrating on dysfunction, humanistic psychology strives to help people fulfill their
potential and maximize their well-being.

This area of psychology emerged during the 1950s as a reaction to psychoanalysis and
behaviorism, which had dominated psychology during the first half of the century.
Psychoanalysis was focused on understanding the unconscious motivations that drive
behavior while behaviorism studied the conditioning processes that produce behavior.

Humanist thinkers felt that both psychoanalysis and behaviorism were too pessimistic,
either focusing on the most tragic of emotions or failing to take into account the role of
personal choice.

However, it is not necessary to think of these three schools of thought as competing

elements. Each branch of psychology has contributed to our understanding of the
human mind and behavior.

● Maslow (1943) developed a hierarchical theory of human motivation

● Carl Rogers (1946) publishes Significant aspects of client centered therapy (also
called person centered therapy)
● In 1957 to 1958, at the invitation of Abraham Maslow and Clark Moustakas, two
meetings were held in Detroit among psychologists who were interested in
founding a professional association dedicated to a more meaningful,more
humanistic vision.
● In 1962, with the sponsorship of Brandeis University, this movement was formally
launched as the Association for Humanistic Psychology.
● The first issue of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology appeared in the Spring of
1961
● Humanistic psychology is based on Philosophies of existentialism and
humanism.

Humanistic theories in psychology focus on understanding and promoting personal

growth, self-actualization, and fulfillment. Here's a simple but direct definition along with
key points to remember:

Definition: Humanistic theories in psychology emphasize the innate potential for

personal growth and self-fulfillment in individuals.

Key Points to Remember:

1. **Focus on Personal Growth**: Humanistic theories highlight the importance of

individuals' inherent drive for personal growth and development.
2. **Self-Actualization**: The concept of self-actualization is central, referring to the
innate tendency for individuals to strive toward realizing their fullest potential.

3. **Holistic Perspective**: Humanistic theories take a holistic approach, considering the

interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in shaping human experiences.

4. **Emphasis on Positive Aspects**: Unlike some other psychological perspectives,

humanistic theories emphasize the positive aspects of human nature, such as creativity,
empathy, and resilience.

5. **Unconditional Positive Regard**: Humanistic theories emphasize the importance of

providing individuals with unconditional positive regard, acceptance, and empathy to
foster personal growth and well-being.

6. **Personal Responsibility**: Individuals are seen as active agents who have the
power to make choices and take control of their own lives. Humanistic theories
emphasize personal responsibility in shaping one's own destiny.

7. **Here and Now**: There's an emphasis on living fully in the present moment and
focusing on immediate experiences rather than dwelling on the past or worrying
excessively about the future.

8. **Critique of Traditional Approaches**: Humanistic theories often critique traditional

approaches in psychology, such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis, for neglecting the
subjective experiences and potentials of individuals.

In summary, humanistic theories in psychology offer a positive and optimistic view of

human nature, emphasizing personal growth, self-actualization, and the importance of
subjective experiences in psychological well-being.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Jamela's Journey

• Physiological Needs: Jam basic needs include food, water, and shelter.

• Safety Needs: Jam seeks safety and security, such as a safe neighborhood and
financial stability.

• Love and Belongingness Needs: Jam desires social connections and

relationships, aiming for love, acceptance, and value.

• Esteem Needs: Jam seeks recognition and validation for her accomplishments,
such as praise for work performance or personal goals.

• Self-Actualization Needs: Jam strives for self-actualization, pursuing passions,

creative endeavors, and opportunities for self-improvement.
Carl Rogers' Self Theory of Personality

Carl Rogers was a highly influential figure in the field of psychology, particularly known
for his contributions to humanistic psychology and person-centered therapy. Here are
some key points about Carl Rogers and his work

• Emphasizes the central role of self-concept, including beliefs, perceptions, and

attitudes.

• Proposes that psychological health depends on the degree of congruence

between self-concept and actual experiences.

• Introduces the concept of conditions of worth, external standards or

expectations adopted for self-evaluation.

• Advocates for unconditional positive regard, which facilitates personal growth

and self-actualization.

• Defines the ideal state of psychological health as the "fully functioning person,"
characterized by openness to experience, self-awareness, autonomy, and
authenticity.

• Stresses the importance of empathy and genuineness in interpersonal

relationships, including therapeutic relationships.

• Advocates for a client-centered approach to therapy, providing empathy,

genuineness, and unconditional positive regard to help clients understand their
experiences and goals.

Carl Rogers' self-theory of personality includes the following fundamental

components:

1. **Self-Concept**: Rogers believes that self-concept is the most important part

of personality. It refers to the set of thoughts and perceptions that individuals hold
about themselves. This encompasses their perceptions, feelings, and
assessments of their own abilities, qualities, and identity. Rogers felt that
experiences, interactions with people, and societal influences all contribute to
one's self-concept.

2. **Congruence and Incongruence**: Rogers created the concept of

congruence, which relates to how well an individual's self-image aligns with their
real experiences. Congruence refers to harmony between one's self-concept and
 their experiences. Incongruence, on the other hand, happens when there is a
mismatch between one's self-concept and their experiences, resulting in internal
conflicts and psychological suffering.

3. **Conditions of value**: Rogers claimed that people form their sense of value
depending on the acceptance or disapproval they receive from significant
persons, such as parents, peers, and society. These worth conditions determine
which behaviors and attributes are valued, causing individuals to internalize
specific self-worth standards. When people seek to reach these standards of
worth, they may suffer inconsistency between their genuine and ideal selves.

4. **Self-Actualization**: Rogers, like Abraham Maslow, believed in people's

natural desire to reach self-actualization, which is the realization of one's full
potential and the achievement of personal goals. Rogers contended that when
individuals are given the appropriate conditions for growth, such as empathy,
authenticity, and unconditional positive respect, they can pursueSelf-actualization
and the development of a congruent self-concept.

5. **Therapeutic Approach**: Rogers' self-theory served as the foundation for

client-centered therapy, often known as person-centered therapy. In this
therapeutic method, the therapist fosters a supportive and empathic environment
in which clients can express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.
The therapist's goal is to help the client achieve congruence between their
self-concept and their experiences, so increasing their self-awareness and
acceptance.

Overall, Carl Rogers' self-theory of personality emphasizes the significance of

self-concept, congruence, and self-actualization in comprehending human
behavior and promoting psychological development and well-being.

Real Self: The real self refers to the actual, genuine perceptions and beliefs that
individuals hold about themselves. It encompasses their current self-image,
self-perceptions, and self-awareness based on their experiences, behaviors, and
interactions with others. The real self reflects how individuals see themselves as they
are, including their strengths, weaknesses, desires, and limitations. It is shaped by both
internal experiences and external feedback from the environment.

Ideal Self: The ideal self represents the person an individual wishes to be or aspires to
become. It is the idealized version of oneself, characterized by traits, qualities, and
achievements that are perceived as desirable or valued by society, significant others, or
the individual themselves. The ideal self is influenced by cultural norms, societal
expectations, personal goals, and aspirations. It embodies the individual's hopes,
dreams, and visions of their best possible self.

Realistic vs. Aspirational Self Concepts

• Real self reflects reality, including strengths and weaknesses.

• Ideal self represents the idealized version of self.

Current vs. Future Orientation

• Real self based on current perceptions and experiences.

• Ideal self future-oriented reflecting aspirations and personal growth goals.

Actual vs. Desired Attributes

• Real self includes current attributes and qualities.

• Ideal self includes desired attributes.

Self-Acceptance vs. Self-Improvement

• Psychological health depends on congruence between real and ideal self.

• Therapy aims to align self-concept with experiences and values, fostering

self-acceptance and growth.

The Big Five Traits and Carl Rogers' Humanistic Approach

• The Big Five traits, also known as the Five Factor Model (FFM), were established
through empirical research by psychologists in the latter half of the 20th century.

• These traits represent five broad dimensions of personality, capturing fundamental

aspects of individual differences.

• Carl Rogers' humanistic approach, focusing on self-concept, personal growth, and

interpersonal relationships, complements the broader understanding of personality
traits.

• The traits include:

- Openness to Experience: Reflects open-mindedness, imagination, creativity, and

curiosity.

- Conscientiousness: Defines organization, responsibility, and self-discipline.

- Extraversion: Outgoing, sociable, energetic, and assertive in social situations.

- Agreeableness: Reflects cooperativeness, compassion, empathy, and trust in
interpersonal relationships.

- Neuroticism (or Emotional Stability): Refers to the tendency to experience negative

emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress.