Humanism Psychology
Uploaded by Lopito on Jan 27, 2008
Humanistic psychology emerged in the 1950s in reaction to both behaviorism and psychoanalysis. It is concerned with the subjective experience of human beings, and views using quantitative methods in the study of the human mind and behavior as misguided. This is in direct contrast to cognitive (which aims to apply the scientific method to the study of psychology), an approach of which humanistic psychology has been strongly critical. Instead, the discipline stresses a phenomenological view of human experience, seeking to understand human beings and their behavior by conducting qualitative research (wikipedia).
The humanistic approach has its roots in existentialist thought. The founding theorists behind this school of thought are Abraham Maslow, who presented a "hierarchy of needs"; Carl Rogers, who created and developed 'client centered therapy' and Fritz and Laura Perls who helped create and develop Gestalt therapy. Gestalt psychologists claim to consider behavior holistically, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" (psychclassics).
Carl Ransom Rogers, (1902 - 1987) was a psychologist who was instrumental in the development of non-directive psychotherapy (Rogerian psychotherapy). His basic principles were congruence-genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathic understanding demonstrated by the counselor are necessary and sufficient to create a relationship beneficial to allowing the client to fully experience their phenomenological field, or self (Coon,2001).
It was only after years of counseling experience that Rogers settled on these three conditions as the ones "necessary and sufficient" for relational health. Although they emerged from a therapeutic setting, he was certain that they are equally important in the business world, family life, education, and all interpersonal relationships (afirstlook).
Rogers used the term congruence to describe the match or fit between an individual’s inner feelings and outer display. The congruent person is genuine, real, integrated, whole, and transparent. The non-congruent person tries to impress, plays a role, puts up a front, and hides behind a facade. Rogers realized that congruence between feelings and actions can never be total, but his experience convinced him that choosing to be real with others is the single most important decision a person can make (afirstlook).
He believed the professional roles of doctor, teacher, supervisor, minister, and therapist were created to maintain a safe distance from those seeking help. Yet when he established a warm and trusting climate for the client and they experienced themselves as fully received regardless of whether they expressed fear, anger, shame, pleasure or affection, they got better. Rogers could let...