RG 10b Modified PowerPoint from: Aneeq Ahmad -- Henderson State University. Worth Publishers © 2007

Humanistic Perspective By 1960s psychologists had become discontented with Freud’s negativity and the mechanistic psychology of the behaviorists. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

Humanistic Theory Emphasizes idea that individuals’ control their own behavior Views human nature in a much more positive light…believes we are all innately good Very popular perspective at its time because it was so person-centered (think of societal ideas in the 1960s)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Self-actualization personal growth and fulfilment Esteem needs achievement, status, responsibility, reputation Belongingness and Love needs family, affection, relationships, work group, etc. Safety needs protection, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc. Biological and Physiological needs basic life needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc. © design Alan Chapman 2001-7, based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Move up hierarchy from bottom, basic needs toward top, self-actualization

Self-Actualizing Person Ultimately Maslow believed that we try to reach the state of self-actualization or fulfilling our unique potential. He believed this desire exists in all people but is often thwarted by one’s environment. Self-actualizing characteristics accept self unconditionally spontaneous and natural democratic nature like privacy focus on problems outside self strong ethical and moral sense close, yet limited number of friends very realistic

Carl Rogers Rogers also believed in individual's personal growth tendencies and idea that people are naturally good. Central feature of personality = self-concept (our perception of our abilities, behaviors and characteristics if self- concept positive, we tend to act in positive ways) Michael Rougier/ Life Magazine © Time Warner, Inc.

Growth and Fulfillment For an individual to grow, Rogers said must have: Genuineness Be open with feelings and drop facades Acceptance Get rid of conditions of worth Must have/offer unconditional positive regard Empathy Sharing and mirroring our feelings and reflecting meanings

Assessing the Self In an effort to assess personality, Rogers asked people to describe themselves as they would like to be (ideal) and as they actually are (real). If the two descriptions were close the individual had a positive self-concept. All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in an answer to the question, “Who am I?” refers to Self-Concept.

Evaluating the Humanistic Perspective Humanistic psychology had pervasive impact on counseling, education, child-rearing and management. Concepts in humanistic psychology are vague and subjective and lacked scientific basis. Individualism can lead to self-indulgence, selfishness and corruptions…so need to be careful of emphasis.