Humanism

Humanism
Lecturer: Charlene Pile

Learning Objectives
- Define Humanism/Humanistic Psychology
- Examine the History of Humanism
- Recognize the Prominent Theorists of Humanism
- Understand the difference between needs and wants and what factors affect them
Examine the Criticisms of Humanism

Definition of Humanism
Partly as a reaction to the theories of the Freudians and behaviorists,
which viewed people as driven either by mental events or by external
stimuli, a new school of psychological thought—humanistic
psychology—emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s; among the
influential theorists was Abraham Maslow (1908–1970).
According to humanistic psychology, people have positive values,

free will, and deep inner creativity, which in combination can allow
them to choose life fulfilling paths to personal growth. The
humanistic approach (focused on the level of the person) rests on the
idea that all individuals—and their unique experiences—should be
respected.
Definition of Humanism
The school of psychology that assumes

people have positive values, free will,
and deep inner creativity, the
combination of which allow them to
choose life-fulfilling paths to personal
growth.
Key Focus of Humanism
The tenets of humanistic psychology, which are also shared at

their most basic level with transpersonal and existential
psychology, include:
 Humans cannot be viewed as the sum of their parts or
reduced to functions/parts.
 Humans exist in a unique human context and cosmic
ecology.
 Human beings are conscious and are aware of their
awareness.
 Humans have a responsibility because of their ability to
choose.
 Humans search for meaning, value, and creativity besides
aiming for goals and being intentional in causing future
events (Aanstoos et al., 2000).
In sum, the focus of humanistic psychology is on the person
Brief History of Humanistic Psychology
The revolution of humanistic psychology began in the 1960s

with the separation of humanistic psychology as its own
category. This movement was led by Amedeo Giorgi, who
argued for a phenomenologically based methodology that could
support a more authentically human science of psychology.
Founders of Humanism (Carl Rogers)
Psychologist Carl Rogers (1902–1987) This form of therapy grew out of the idea that human nature leads each of
us to want to develop to our fullest potential, and the therapist’s job is to
developed a therapy based on the help us do so. (This view emerged from Maslow’s theory that people have
humanistic approach; Rogers used the an urge to self-actualize—that is, to develop to their fullest potentials.)
Rather than serving as an expert in a position of authority, the client-
term client rather than patient, and he centered therapist provides an unconditionally supportive and positive
called his therapy client-centered therapy. environment to help the client overcome obstacles and develop to his or her
full potential.
Importance of Humanism
Humanistic psychology is important in part because of its emphasis on humans as active agents
who can formulate plans and make decisions. This school continues to attract followers today and
played a role in the emergence of positive psychology—the area of psychology that focuses on
“the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive” (Compton, 2005;
Peterson, 2006).
Researchers in this field focus on psychological strengths and the factors that are associated with
psychological health and fulfillment rather than on psychological weaknesses and the factors that
are associated with mental illness and psychological problems. This field is just now starting to
produce a body of solid research findings and may develop into a major force in psychology.
Types of Needs: No Shortage of Shortages
Humans have psychological needs as Such needs are not simply desires;
well as bodily needs. A depending on our genes and how a
psychological need is a condition given person is raised, we all
that arises from the lack of necessary require certain psychological
information or the lack of an conditions in order to thrive. As one
opportunity to exercise specific example, if young children are not
mental processes or behave in a spoken to, they will not develop
specific way. language properly (Grimshaw et al.,
1998; Pinker 1994).
Difference between Needs and Wants
A need is a condition that arises from the lack of a necessary substance (such as
food) or condition (such as warmth). Needs give rise to drives, which push you to
reach a particular goal that will reduce the need. A low level of nutrients creates a
need; hunger is a drive that will lead you to fill that need.
In contrast, a want is a state that arises when you have an unmet goal that does not
arise from a lack of a necessary substance or condition. A want causes the goal to
act as an incentive. You might need to eat, but you don’t need a fancier car,
although you might desperately want one—and the promise of a new car for
working hard over the summer would be an incentive for you to put in long hours
on the job. You are not necessarily aware of your needs or wants.
Psychological Needs
Researchers have proposed that our psychological

needs include a need to be competent, to be
independent (Sheldon et al., 1996), to have social
approval, to be dominant or in control (Kim & Kim,
1997), to be affiliated with others, to be powerful
(McClelland et al., 1989), to be autonomous
(Markland & Tobin, 2010), to wrap up tasks
(Kruglanski & Webster, 1996; Taris, 2000), to
understand, to maintain self-esteem, and even to see
the world in a positive light (Stevens & Fiske, 1995).
Psychological Needs
A classic example of a For example, people who

psychological need is the have a high need for
need for achievement achievement tend to assume
(McClelland & Atkinson, that their successes are due
1953), which is the need to to their personal In short, measures of
reach goals that require characteristics, whereas many psychological
skilled performance or their failures are due to needs have been
competence to be environmental associated with a wide
accomplished. Many studies circumstances (Nathawat et range of types of
have documented variables al., 1997; Weiner & Kukla, behavior.
that are associated with 1970); apparently, these
differences in the strength of people tend to interpret
this need (Neel et al., 1986; events in a way that helps to
Spangler, 1992). satisfy this need.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow (1970) created a hierarchy of physical and emotional needs. Lower-level
needs are considered more essential to life and must be met before needs further up the
hierarchy can be addressed and satisfied. Needs toward the top of the hierarchy are
considered less basic because they arise less frequently and, if not met, do not seriously
disrupt a person’s life— although not achieving them will prevent a person from fully
thriving. You can live without the respect of your peers but not without air or food.
According to Maslow’s theory, once a need is met, it becomes less important, and unmet,
higher-level needs become more important. For example, if your house burned down and
all your possessions were destroyed, your physiological and safety needs are likely to
demand all of your attention, and you would probably care much less about how others
regard you or about other “higher-level” needs at that point in time.
Pros and Cons of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Theory
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has had an enormous impact on how people think about
motivation, particularly in the business world (Soper et al., 1995). But is this theory of
motivation, correct? Research has produced mixed evidence, at best, for the idea that needs
are organized into a hierarchy (Wahba & Bridwell, 1976). There is no good evidence that
unmet needs become more important than met needs. In fact, one study found that the more
consistently a need was met, the more important it became (Hall & Nougaim, 1968).
Pros and Cons of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Theory
Furthermore, Maslow’s theory fails to explain various phenomena—for example, why people
voluntarily go to war and put themselves in the line of fire (Fox, 1982). Maslow’s hierarchy has been
revised in light of evolutionary psychology (Kenrick et al., 2010). The revised theory retains basic
subsistence needs at the base but replaces the higher levels with reproductive goals (“mate acquisition,”
“mate retention,” and “parenting”). Moreover, the revised theory posits that needs are overlapping, and
later ones do not replace earlier ones. Although the revised theory avoids many of the problems with the
original theory, it has yet to be tested rigorously.

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Humanism

Lecturer: Charlene Pile

- Examine the History of Humanism

- Recognize the Prominent Theorists of Humanism

Examine the Criticisms of Humanism

According to humanistic psychology, people have positive values,

The school of psychology that assumes

The tenets of humanistic psychology, which are also shared at

The revolution of humanistic psychology began in the 1960s

Researchers have proposed that our psychological

A classic example of a For example, people who

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