HUMANISTIC APPROACH

Humanistic, humanism, and humanist are terms in psychology relating to an approach

that studies the whole person and the uniqueness of each individual. Essentially, these
terms refer to the same approach in psychology.

Humanistic psychology is a perspective that emphasizes looking at the whole person, and
the uniqueness of each individual. Humanistic psychology begins with the existential
assumptions that people have free will and are motivated to achieve their potential and
self-actualize.

The humanistic approach in psychology developed as a rebellion against what some

psychologists saw as the limitations of behaviorist and psychodynamic psychology.

The humanistic approach is thus often called the “third force” in psychology after
psychoanalysis and behaviorism (Maslow, 1968).

Humanism rejected the assumptions of the behaviorist perspective which is characterized

as deterministic, focused on reinforcement of stimulus-response behavior and heavily
dependent on animal research.

Humanistic psychology rejected the psychodynamic approach because it is also

deterministic, with unconscious irrational and instinctive forces determining human
thought and behavior.
Both behaviorism and psychoanalysis are regarded as dehumanizing by humanistic
psychologists.

Definition of Humanistic Approach

 The humanistic approach in psychology can be defined as a perspective that

emphasizes the positive aspects of human nature, promoting the belief that
individuals have an innate capacity for personal growth, self-actualization, and
achieving their fullest potential.

 It centers on the subjective experiences of individuals, valuing their feelings, thoughts,

and personal narratives.

BASIC ASSUMPTION:

 Humanistic psychology begins with the existential assumption that people have
free will:

 Personal agency is the humanistic term for the exercise of free will. Free will is the
idea that people can make choices in how they act and are self-determining.

 Behavior is not constrained by either past experience of the individual or current

circumstances (determinism).

 Personal agency refers to the choices we make in life, the paths we go down, and
their consequences. Individuals are free to choose when they are congruent (Rogers)
or self-actualized (Maslow).

 Although Rogers believes much more in free will, he acknowledges that

determinism is present in the case of conditional love because that may affect a
person’s self-esteem. In this way free will and determinism are integral to some
extent in the humanistic perspective.

 People are basically good, and have an innate need to make themselves and the
world better:

 Humanistic psychology: a more recent development in the history of psychology,

humanistic psychology grew out of the need for a more positive view of human
beings than was offered by psychoanalysis or behaviorism.

 Humans are innately good, which means there is nothing inherently negative or evil
about them (humans).
  In this way the humanistic perspective takes an optimistic view of human nature
that humans are born good but during their process of growth they might turn evil.

 The humanistic approach emphasizes the individual’s personal worth, the centrality
of human values, and the creative, active nature of human beings.

 The approach is optimistic and focuses on the noble human capacity to overcome
hardship, pain and despair.

 People are motivated to self-actualize:

 Major humanistic psychologists such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow believed
that human beings were born with the desire to grow, create and to love, and had the
power to direct their own lives.

 Self-actualization concerns psychological growth, fulfilment, and satisfaction in

life.

 Both Rogers and Maslow regarded personal growth and fulfillment in life as basic
human motives. This means that each person, in different ways, seeks to grow
psychologically and continuously enhance themselves.
  However, Rogers and Maslow both describe different ways which self-actualization
can be achieved.

 According to Maslow, people also have needs which must be met for self-
actualization to be possible. The basic needs e.g. food and water have to be
satisfied before the higher psychological and emotional needs. This is shown in
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

 According to Rogers, people could only self-actualize if they had a positive view of
themselves (positive self-regard). This can only happen if they have unconditional
positive regard from others – if they feel that they are valued and respected without
reservation by those around them (especially their parents when they were children).

 Self-actualization is only possible if there is congruence between the way an

individual sees themselves and their ideal self (the way they want to be or think they
should be). If there is a large gap between these two concepts, negative feelings of
self-worth will arise that will make it impossible for self-actualization to take place.

 Behavior must be understood in terms of the subjective conscious experience of

the individual (phenomenology):

 Humanistic psychologists also believe that the most fundamental aspect of being
human is a subjective experience. This may not be an accurate reflection of the real
world, but a person can only act in terms of their own private experience subjective
perception of reality.

 Humanistic psychologists argue that physical objective reality is less important than
a person’s subjective (phenomenological) perception and understanding of the
world. Thus, how people interpret things internally is (for them), the only reality.

 Sometimes the humanistic approach is called phenomenological. This means that

personality is studied from the point of view of the individual’s subjective
experience. Meaning is the purpose or value that a person attaches to their actions or
experiences

 According to Rogers, we each live in a world of our own creation, formed by our
processes of perception. He referred to an individual’s unique perception of reality
as his or her phenomenal field.

 As Rogers once said, “The only reality I can possibly know is the world as I
perceive and experience it at this particular moment. The only reality you can
possibly know is the world as you perceive and experience at this moment. And the
only certainty is that those perceived realities are different. There are as many ‘real
worlds’ as there are people! (Rogers, 1980, p. 102).

 For Rogers, the focus of psychology is not behavior (Skinner), the unconscious
(Freud), thinking (Piaget), or the human brain but how individuals perceive and
 interpret events. Rogers is therefore important because he redirected psychology
toward the study of the self.

 Humanistic theorists say these individual subjective realities must be looked at

under three simultaneous conditions.

 First, they must be looked at as a whole and meaningful and not broken down into
small components of information that are disjointed or fragmented like with
psychodynamic theorists. Rogers said that if these individual perceptions of reality
are not kept intact and are divided into elements of thought, they will lose their
meaning.

 Second, they must be conscious experiences of the here and now. No efforts should
be made to retrieve unconscious experiences from the past.

 Phenomenenological means ‘that which appears’ and in this case, it means that
which naturally appears in consciousness. Without attempting to reduce it to its
component parts – without further analysis.

 Finally, these whole experiences should be looked at through introspection.

Introspection is the careful searching of one’s inner subjective experiences.

 Humanism rejects scientific methodology:

 Rogers and Maslow placed little value on scientific psychology, especially the use
of the psychology laboratory to investigate both human and animal behavior.

 Rogers said that objective scientific inquiry based on deterministic assumptions

about humans has a place in the study of humans (science) but is limited in the
sense that it leaves out inner human experiences (phenomenology).

 Studying a person’s subjective experience is the biggest problem for scientific

psychology, which stresses the need for its subject matter to be publicly observable
and verifiable. Subjective experience, by definition, resists such processes.

 Humanism rejects scientific methodology like experiments and typically

uses qualitative research methods. For example, diary accounts, open-ended
questionnaires, unstructured interviews, and observations.

 Qualitative research is useful for studies at the individual level, and to find out, in-
depth, the ways in which people think or feel (e.g. case studies).

 The way to really understand other people is to sit down and talk with them, share
their experiences, and be open to their feelings.
 Humanism rejected comparative psychology (the study of animals) because it
does not tell us anything about the unique properties of human beings:

 Humanism views humans as fundamentally different from other animals, mainly

because humans are conscious beings capable of thought, reason, and language.

 For humanistic psychologists’ research on animals, such as rats, pigeons, or

monkeys held little value.

 Research on such animals can tell us, so they argued, very little about human
thought, behavior, and experience.

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Humanistic Theory Of Personality

Central to Rogers” personality theory is the notion of self or self-concept. This is defined
as “the organized, consistent set of perceptions and beliefs about oneself.”

The self is the humanistic term for who we really are as a person. The self is our inner
personality, and can be likened to the soul, or Freud’s psyche. The self is influenced by
the experiences a person has in their life, and out interpretations of those
experiences. Two primary sources that influence our self-concept are childhood
experiences and evaluation by others.

According to Rogers (1959), we want to feel, experience and behave in ways which are
consistent with our self-image and which reflect what we would like to be like, our ideal-
self. The closer our self-image and ideal-self are to each other, the more consistent or
congruent we are and the higher our sense of self-worth.

A person is said to be in a state of incongruence if some of the totality of their experience

is unacceptable to them and is denied or distorted in the self-image.

The humanistic approach states that the self is composed of concepts unique to ourselves.
The self-concept includes three components:

Self-worth

Self-worth (or self-esteem) comprises what we think about ourselves. Rogers believed
feelings of self-worth developed in early childhood and were formed from the interaction
of the child with the mother and father.

Self-image
How we see ourselves, which is important to good psychological health. Self-
image includes the influence of our body image on inner personality.

At a simple level, we might perceive ourselves as a good or bad person, beautiful or ugly.
Self-image affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves in the world.

Ideal-self

This is the person who we would like to be. It consists of our goals and ambitions in life,
and is dynamic – i.e., forever changing.

The ideal self in childhood is not the ideal self in our teens or late twenties etc.

CRITICAL EVALUATION:

Strengths

 Humanistic psychology rejects rigorous scientific approaches, focusing on the

richness of conscious experience rather than empirical evidence, which includes
concepts like ‘self-actualization’ and ‘congruence’.

 Rogers introduced some rigor with the Q-sort method, measuring therapy
outcomes by assessing changes in clients' self-concepts.

 This approach provided a reaction against the behaviorist dominance, emphasizing

free will over deterministic views.

 Qualitative methods, such as unstructured interviews, offer deeper insights into

individual behavior.

 Humanistic psychology provides a holistic view of behavior, contrasting with

reductionist scientific approaches.

Examples

 Applied in therapy, education, and personality studies, humanistic psychology has

led to significant contributions such as client-centered and Gestalt therapies.

 Client-centered therapy supports clients in achieving self-actualization through a

non-judgmental, supportive approach.

 In education, humanistic ideas promote student-centered learning and self-directed

education, seen in schools like Summerhill.

 This approach encourages creative, self-directed, and responsible learning

environments.
Limitations

 Critics argue that humanistic psychology lacks empirical validity and relies too
heavily on introspection.

 The approach's non-scientific stance limits its impact on academic psychology.

 Humanistic concepts, like individual freedom, may not align with collectivist
cultures, limiting its universal applicability.

 The positive view of human nature may overlook serious social issues, such as
domestic violence and genocides, and could reflect an individualistic outlook
rather than addressing societal problems.

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COGNRUENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

In the humanistic approach to personality, congruence is a central concept that was

developed by Carl Rogers. Congruence refers to the degree of alignment or harmony
between an individual's self-concept and their actual experiences and behaviors. It plays a
crucial role in understanding psychological well-being and personal growth.

1. Definition of Congruence:

In the humanistic perspective, self-concept refers to an individual's perception and

evaluation of themselves, including their beliefs, values, and self-image. Congruence
occurs when there is consistency between one's self-concept and their actual experiences
and behaviors. In other words, it means being in touch with and true to one's genuine
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

2. Psychological Well-being and Congruence:

When there is a high degree of congruence between self-concept and actual experiences,
it contributes significantly to psychological well-being in several ways:

a. Increased Self-Esteem: Congruence fosters a positive self-regard because

individuals feel good about themselves when they are authentic and genuine. For example,
if someone believes they are a caring person and they engage in caring actions, this
congruence enhances their self-esteem.

b. Reduced Anxiety and Defensiveness: When people are congruent, they don't need
to defend their self-concept or hide their true selves. This reduces anxiety and
defensiveness. For instance, if someone is open about their mistakes (congruence), they
won't need to defensively rationalize or deny them.

c. Enhanced Personal Growth: Congruence is associated with personal growth and

self-actualization. When individuals acknowledge their true desires and values, they are
more likely to pursue paths in life that align with their authentic selves. For instance,
someone who realizes they have a passion for art (congruence) is more likely to pursue a
career in art, leading to personal fulfilment.

d. Improved Relationships: Congruence in interpersonal relationships is crucial.

When individuals are genuine in their interactions, it fosters trust and intimacy. For
example, a person who expresses their true emotions (congruence) in a relationship can
build stronger emotional bonds.

Examples to Illustrate Congruence:

a. Career Choice: Imagine an individual who, since childhood, has had a deep passion
for environmental conservation (self-concept). If they choose a career in conservation
work, their self-concept aligns with their actual experience, contributing to their
psychological well-being.

b. Social Interactions: Consider a person who is naturally introverted but has been
trying to be outgoing due to societal expectations (incongruence). This incongruence can
lead to stress and anxiety. However, when they accept and embrace their introverted
nature, they may experience a sense of relief and improved well-being.

c. Relationships: In a romantic relationship, if one partner feels the need to hide their
true emotions and preferences to please their partner (incongruence), it can lead to
frustration and dissatisfaction. However, when they communicate honestly and
authentically, it can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.

In conclusion, congruence in the humanistic approach to personality is the alignment

between one's self-concept and actual experiences, and it is closely tied to psychological
well-being. When individuals are congruent, they experience higher self-esteem, reduced
anxiety, personal growth, and improved relationships. The examples provided illustrate
how congruence or incongruence can impact various aspects of an individual's life and
well-being.

EMPATHY AND UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD

The humanistic approach to personality development, primarily associated with

psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, emphasizes the importance of
empathy and unconditional positive regard in fostering personal growth, self-acceptance,
and healthy relationships. These concepts are central to the humanistic perspective and
play a critical role in understanding human behavior and development. Let's analyze their
significance in detail:

1. Empathy:

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of
another person. It involves recognizing another's emotional state and responding in a way
that reflects an understanding of that state. Empathy allows one to put themselves in
someone else's shoes, which can foster connection, compassion, and supportive
interactions. In the context of the humanistic approach, empathy is viewed as an essential
component of personal growth and self-acceptance. Here's how it contributes:

 Enhancing Self-Awareness: When individuals receive empathy from others, they

feel understood and validated. This emotional support encourages self-reflection
and self-awareness, as they can explore their own feelings and thoughts more
openly. This self-awareness is a crucial step toward personal growth.
 Reducing Isolation: else understands their emotions and experiences can alleviate
feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are often barriers to personal
development.
 Strengthening Relationships: In relationships, empathy fosters trust and intimacy.
When people feel that their thoughts and emotions are acknowledged and
respected, it creates a sense of connection. This strengthens bonds and promotes
healthy interactions.
 Conflict Resolution: Empathy plays a pivotal role in resolving conflicts. When
individuals can empathize with each other's perspectives and emotions, it becomes
easier to find common ground and work through disagreements constructively.
 Example: Imagine a teenager struggling with academic performance. An
empathetic teacher who listens to their concerns and offers understanding can help
the student develop self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and improve their learning
experience.

2. Unconditional Positive Regard:

Unconditional positive regard is the acceptance and valuing of a person regardless of

their behavior. It is a nonjudgmental and affirming attitude, where individuals are
appreciated for who they are, not for meeting certain conditions. Here's how it contributes
to personal growth, self-acceptance, and healthy relationships:

 Promoting Self-Acceptance: When individuals receive unconditional positive

regard from others, they internalize the idea that they are inherently valuable and
worthy of love and respect, irrespective of their flaws or mistakes. This fosters
self-acceptance and a positive self-concept.
 Encouraging Authenticity: Knowing that they won't be judged or rejected for
being themselves, individuals are more likely to express their true feelings and
thoughts. This authenticity is crucial for personal growth, as it allows people to
explore and understand their authentic selves.
 Building Healthy Relationships: In relationships, unconditional positive regard
creates a supportive and nurturing environment. It allows individuals to feel secure
and valued, which is foundational for healthy relationships based on mutual
respect and trust.
 Reducing Defensive Behavior: When people receive unconditional positive
regard, they are less likely to engage in defensive behaviors, such as denial or
avoidance of their own issues. This openness to feedback and self-exploration is
essential for personal development.
 Example: Consider a therapist providing unconditional positive regard to a client
struggling with addiction. By accepting the client without judgment, the therapist
 creates a safe space for the client to confront their issues honestly, leading to
personal growth and recovery.

In conclusion, empathy and unconditional positive regard are pivotal concepts in the
humanistic approach to personality development. They facilitate personal growth by
promoting self-awareness, reducing isolation, and encouraging authenticity. Moreover,
these concepts nurture healthy relationships by building trust, resolving conflicts, and
fostering an environment of acceptance. In everyday life, practicing empathy and
unconditional positive regard can lead to improved well-being and more meaningful
connections with others.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF HUMANISTIC APPROACH IN

PROMOTING PERSONAL GROWTH AND WELL BEING.

The humanistic approach, with its emphasis on personal growth, self-actualization,

authenticity, and positive psychology, has practical applications in various domains such
as education, counseling, and organizational settings. Let's evaluate how these concepts
can be integrated into each of these areas to promote personal growth and well-being:

1. Education:

 Promoting Self-Actualization: In education, the humanistic approach encourages

educators to recognize that each student has unique potential and individual needs.
Instead of simply focusing on academic achievement, educators can create an
environment that fosters self-actualization. This involves helping students discover
their passions, interests, and strengths, and guiding them to pursue meaningful
goals.
 Encouraging Authentic Learning: Authenticity in education means allowing
students to connect their learning to real-life experiences and interests. Teachers
can design curriculum and activities that align with students' personal interests and
encourage them to express their thoughts and ideas genuinely.
 Positive Psychology in the Classroom: Positive psychology interventions, such
as gratitude exercises, mindfulness practices, and character strength development,
can be integrated into the curriculum. These techniques help students build
resilience, emotional intelligence, and a positive mindset, all of which contribute
to well-being.
 Student-Centered Approach: Humanistic principles encourage a student-
centered approach, where educators value the emotional and psychological well-
being of students as much as their academic success. This approach involves
active listening, empathy, and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment.

2. Counseling:

 Client-Centered Therapy: Carl Rogers' client-centered therapy is a fundamental

application of the humanistic approach in counseling. Therapists practicing this
approach provide clients with unconditional positive regard, empathy, and
authenticity. This therapeutic relationship helps clients explore their feelings and
thoughts, leading to personal growth and self-acceptance.
  Self-Actualization in Counseling: Therapists can help clients identify and work
towards self-actualization goals by assisting them in clarifying their values,
aspirations, and potential. This process can enhance a client's overall well-being
and fulfillment.
 Positive Psychology in Therapy: Positive psychology interventions, like
gratitude journals and strengths-based approaches, can be integrated into therapy
to help clients develop resilience, optimism, and a sense of purpose, all of which
contribute to improved well-being.
 Authenticity and Self-Exploration: Encouraging clients to be authentic and
honest about their thoughts and emotions fosters self-exploration and self-
awareness. This can lead to personal growth, as clients gain insight into their
behaviors and motivations.

3. Organizational Settings:

 Employee-Centered Approach: Humanistic principles can be applied in the

workplace by adopting an employee-centered approach. This involves valuing
employees as individuals with unique strengths and potential rather than just as
resources for the organization. Managers can promote a culture of respect, open
communication, and empathy.
 Authentic Leadership: Authentic leadership emphasizes self-awareness,
transparency, and ethical behavior in leaders. Leaders who embody authenticity
are more likely to create a positive and empowering work environment, which
contributes to employee well-being and personal growth.
 Positive Organizational Psychology: Incorporating positive psychology
principles within organizations can enhance employee satisfaction and well-being.
Initiatives like employee recognition programs, fostering a growth mindset, and
promoting work-life balance can improve overall morale and productivity.
 Self-Actualization at Work: Encouraging employees to pursue self-actualization
at work involves aligning their roles with their passions and strengths. This can
lead to higher job satisfaction and fulfilment.

In summary, the humanistic approach has practical applications in education, counseling,

and organizational settings to promote personal growth and well-being. By emphasizing
self-actualization, authenticity, and positive psychology, individuals can experience
greater self-fulfillment, improved mental health, and more meaningful engagement in
their respective domains. Whether in the classroom, the therapy room, or the workplace,
these principles can contribute to a more positive and flourishing human experience.
References

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, 50, 370-

96.

Rogers, C. R. (1946). Significant aspects of client-centered therapy. American

Psychologist, 1, 415-422.

Maslow, A. H. (1968). Toward a psychology of being (2nd ed.). New York: D. Van
Nostrand.

Rogers, C. R. (1946). Significant aspects of client-centered therapy. American

Psychologist 1, 415-422.

Rogers, C. R. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality and interpersonal relationships as

developed in the client-centered framework. In (ed.) S. Koch, Psychology: A study of a
science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the person and the social context. New York: McGraw
Hill.