Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic Psychology Basis Humanistic Psychology is so named collectable to its core precept in the basic goodness present in and respect for clementity. Its core is founded upon empirical psychology, or the realization and understanding of ones existence and mixer responsibility. The two psychologists, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow initiated the movement with this new perspective on understanding peoples individualisedity and improving their over both life satisfaction. When war broke out in the 1960s, the field felt compelled to better understand the nature of unselfishness.Humanistic conjecture provides an understandable mechanism for examining an individuals need for conflict in order to create peace. This simplistic speculation has become a favorite and popular topic passim self-help literature. Additionally, the struggle for mankind to gain greater understanding and meaning for life and existence is a everlasting cornerstone conflict in entertainment and literatur e. The premise behind human-centered psychology is simple. So simple, in fact, that nay dictateers gestate it to be excessively simple. Humanists adhither to these beliefs 1. The present is the most signficant aspect of someone.As a results humanists emphasize the here and now instead of examining the past or attempting to predict the future. 2. To be mentally healthy, individuals must take personal responsibility for their actions, regardless if those actions are unconditional or negative. 3. Each person, simply by being, is inherently worthy. era any given action may be negative, these actions do non cancel out their regard as as a person. 4. The ultimate goal of living is to attain personal growth and understanding. Through ageless self-improvement and self-understanding can an individual ever be authentically happy.Abraham Maslow provided the best known and in the main astray understood precept in humanistic psychology. Abraham Maslow believed that Watson and the anot her(prenominal) behaviorists ideas about control were lacking. He saw human life as more than simply external reinforcement, disputing the assumption that humanity was natural without value or direction. When he was studying psychology, the prevalent ideas were psychoanalysis and behaviorism. These theories were suppressed by most courses and a great bay window of energy was employmentd for apiece psychologist to identify the theory aspiring psychologists would subscribe to.Maslow did not follow each of these paths. He condemned behaviorism, unconstipatedtually taking the same perspective with Freuds works as intumesce. Even though Maslow sure the existence of an unconscious being within us, Maslow refuted Freuds idea that the bulk of our being is hidden far from our consciousness. Maslow purported that humanity is aware of motivation and drives on the whole. Without lifes obstacles, all of humanity would become healthy psychologically, attaining a deep self-understanding a nd credence of society and the beingness somewhat them.Maslow reinforced his energy on realizing the haughty aspects of mankind, while Freud saw mostly negativity. One might summarize the distinction between humanism and psychoanalytic melodic theme in this port psychoanalysis is founded upon acceptance determinism, or acceptance of aspects of our lives outside of control, while humanistic thought bases itself on the design of uninvolved will. Maslows best known contribution to Humanistic psychology is his Hierarchy of Needs. Maslows Needs Hierarchy is frequently used to sum up the humanistic psychology belief system. The fundamental premise of his hierarchy is that bothone is born with specific needs.If we do not meet those base needs, we are futile to survive and focus up(a) within the hierarchy. The first stratum consists of bphysiological needs/b, or survival needs. unable to obtain oxygen, sleep, water, and food, all else is irrelevant. After we meet these needs, we can shift our focus to the next stratum, the need for certification and safety. When pursuing safety needs, we attempt to secure safety in others and yearn to create an environment that protects us, holding us free from harm. Until these goals are met, it is unlikely that someone would consider higher order needs, and their growth is whence stifled.When someone feels safe and secure, we attempt to build friendships and establish a sense of give-up the ghosting to a greater whole. Maslows third aim of needs, the social needs of belonging and love, focus on our desire to be belong to a group and have a place in a larger whole. Meeting social needs get us one step closer to the top of the triangle the fourth aim esteem needs. Those attempting to fulfill esteem needs channel their energy on respect from others, self-esteem, self-respect, and gaining re perception for our accomplishments in life.We push further and further to excel in our careers, to expand our knowledge, and t o constantly increase our self-esteem. The final train in the hierarchy is called the need for self-actualization. According to Maslow, many people may be in this level but very few, if anybody, ever masters it. Self-actualization refers to a complete understanding of the self. To be self-actualized mode to truly know who you are, where you belong in the greater society, and to feel like you are accomplishing all that you are meant to be.It means to no longer feel shame or guilt, or even hate, but to accept the world and see human nature as inherently good. Against Scientific Basics At its onset, Humanistic theory was not researched easily. To start with, since the fundamental belief of Humanism is in the goodness of people, intercession should focus on the positive, instead of negative. This leaves very few tests upon which to build the case of Humanism. Then, through assessment, the assessor is essentially trying to say that the tester knows more about the clients emotion, tho ught, and behavior.To do something so presumptuous is a flagrant contradiction of the belief principles of Humanism. As a result, most theorists, specifically behaviorists, refuted humanistic theory since it was not easily researched. However, as with psychoanalysis, it was come-at-able to aggregate meaningful data on the consummationiveness of applying Humanistic theories. Actually, just as with psychoanalysis, innovative test needed to be designed to accentuate the exact theory and the intended application of the theory. Psychoanalysis use tests like TAT and Rorschach humanists use the Q-Sort.Humanistic Theory Weaknesses and Strengths Humanistic Theory Strengths Just as with every theory, some find humanistic psychology to be relevant, as others can only see the flaws. A couple of humanistic theorys strengths are the focus on the positivitity and goodness of humanity, as well as the free will related to change. Contrasting Freuds and biological approaches, focusing on the bel ief that human behavior and cognition are causally determined by prior events and actions, such that we lack self-control, Maslow and Humanistic psychology believe that the individual is quite powerful.Another strength of humanistic theory is how easily many aspects of the theory integrate with other nurtures of thought. A number of therapists adopt humanistic undertones when working with their clients. While the individual may believe that humanistic theory doesnt cover the distance, they understand the benefit of the core values and beliefs in changing peoples lives for the better. Ultimately, humanism has benefits which communicate over into a number of other professions. In a business class, you will probably cover Maslows hierarchy.When studying finance or economics, the course will no doubt cover the concept of base up financially and physically, to eventually become more enlightened and aware of who we are and our place in the world. This principle is similarly present in other professions such as criminology, history, and literature, since the core of humanistic thought rings true in everything that deals with what it means to be considered human. Humanistic Theory Weaknesses For every yin, there is in any case the yang. Humanistic theory has its share of flaws as well.The most significant criticism of humanistic psychology centers around its lack of specific approaches to treatment aimed at precise problems. Since the core belief behind Humanistic theory is that of free will, it is very complicated to both innovate a technique for treatment as well as a means to study the efficacy of this treatment technique. Additionally, it is believed that humanistic theory falls is unable to help people with severe personality or mental health disorders. While Carl Rogers Theory of reputation may have positive effects on a minor abberation, using it as treatment for schizophrenics is laughable.Lastly, humanistic theory applies some human nature generalization s which are widely believed to be complete. Are all people good at the core of their being, or are some people just not there? Can we effectively position that Maslows needs hierarchy, as explained, applies to everyone universally? Or is it possible that each individual can impose their own belief system or their order of attainment, or even their very definition? Why is it that some individuals appear to consciously take negative alternatives while positive choices are right in front of them?These doubts huant humanistic psychology and the complexity associated with performing measurable research of the theory further exacerbates the issue. However, regardless of these trials, humanistic theory is incorporated into nearly every opposing school of psychotherapy and improvement of the human condition. It is widely believed that treatment with humanistic undertones creates a nice environment for positive change. While, alone, humanistic theory may be insufficient, the groundwork it la ys might be a necessity for to effect significant changes of personality.