1. Humanistic Perspectives
How does humanism differ from other theories in psychology?

2. The Humanistic Perspective - Origins
In the 1960s some psychologists decided that the field needed some fresh ideas and a new direction
Most psychologists were equally uncomfortable with:
Behaviorism:
B.F. Skinner and operant conditioning
John Watson with Little Albert
Too rigid, too mechanical
Freud
Psychosexual stages
Dark conflicts, too negative

3. The Humanistic Perspective - Origins
Abraham Maslow
Carl Rogers
Focused on the self-concept of personality or all the thoughts and feelings we have in response to, “who am I?”
Instead of laboratory experiments these two theorists chose to ask people to report their own experiences and feelings. (Surveys)

4. Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizing Person
Maslow proposed that human motivations form a pyramid-shaped hierarchy of needs
1.) At the bottom of the pyramid are bodily needs (food, clothing, shelter)
2.) If we have basic needs met, we can focus on security/safety (health, employment, housing, etc.)
3.) Once we feel secure, we can seek fulfilling connections with other people (love, intimacy, friendship, family)

5. Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizing Person
4.) When our love/connections are satisfied, we can then focus on our self-esteem/feelings of worth through achievement, respect of others, etc.
5.) At the highest point of the pyramid is what is called self- actualization –
Self-actualization is where a person can be self-aware, self-accepting, loving, caring, creative, spontaneous, and living with a purpose and an inner meaning, and usually moved by a spiritual experience.

7. Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Perspective
Believed in self-actualized people just like Maslow did
The way in which we become self-actualized was slightly different:
We are primed to reach our potential if we are given a “growth-promoting environment”

8. Carl Rogers’ Nurturing Human Growth
We can nurture growth if…
1.)We are genuine
Open with our feelings, drop false fronts, and are transparent and self- disclosing
2.) We are accepting
We offer total positive regard – attitude of total acceptance and valuing another, even with knowledge of the person’s failings
3.) We are empathic (empathetic) –
Sharing another’s feelings, feeling what they feel
Listening with true empathy – put yourself in another’s shoes when listening

9. Carl Rogers
“As person are accepted and prized, they tend to develop a more caring attitude toward themselves.” (Rogers, 1980, p.116)
Specifically geared toward the client-therapist relationship, but Rogers believed that genuineness, acceptance and empathy could nurture growth between any two human beings
Leader and group
Teacher and student
Manager and staff member
Parent and child

10. Evaluating the Humanistic Perspectives
Maslow’s and Rogers theories have heavily influenced counseling, teaching, child-rearing and management
Many people believe that people are basically good and capable of improving if provided the right environment
There IS evidence to show that people who feel liked and accepted – for who they are, not just their achievement, show less defensive attitudes (Schimel et al., 2001).
A less defensive attitude will in turn be able to work with others more effectively and accomplish more

11. Evaluating the Humanistic Perspectives
Criticisms: what do you think?
Concepts are vague (not quantified)
Maslow’s self-actualized person qualities were based off of qualities of people he admired
If Hitler or Napoleon conducted the same research, the self-actualized person would look quite different.
Attitudes tend to focus on “Am I living in a way that deeply satisfies me and which truly expresses me?” –Trusting our own feelings Could encourage selfishness and or possibly hurt us.
Do feelings always = FACTS?
Fails to appreciate the human capacity for evil (terrorism, threat of nuclear war, sociopaths who are incapable of empathy etc.)