Humanistic Psychology
Introduction
Started taking shape in 1960s from the work of Abraham
Maslow and Carl Rogers
Milestones:
In 1951, Car Rogers published ‘client centered therapy’ and
in 1954, Maslow published ‘Motivation and Personality’
Reckoned as third force in psychology
It was a reaction to both Psychoanalytic theory and
Behaviourism
Humanistic psychology took a more positive view of human
nature
Antecedent Influences
- Roots of ideas of the humanistic psychology can be found
in the works of earlier psychologists
- Franz Brentano who had earlier opposed Wundt’s ideas of
studying structure of consciousness. Brentano was of view
that consciousness should be studied as a molar quality
rather than a molecular content
- Kulpe was of view that conscious experience cant be
explained in terms of mere responses to stimuli. They are
more than that.
- William James emphasized that psychology should focus on
functions of consciousness and the whole individual rather a
mechanist view of a person. He also was concerned with
problems and needs of human being. In his book Principles of
Psychology, he included a chapter on self which acted as
precursor for other self theorists.
- Gestalt psychologists in their views that our experiences are
more than simple sensations. They emphasized upon
wholeness of experience.
- Psychoanalysts like Adler and Horney who opposed the
deterministic views of Freud that personality is shaped by
unconscious forces. They believed in human being’s strength to
overcome their past.
- Emphasis on uniqueness of individuals.
- Optimistic view of human personality
- Human beings should be studied as whole
- Human beings have innate tendency to reach to their maximum potential.
- Studies should be person centric rather group centric
- Studies on Animal wouldn’t help in understanding of human beings.
- Focus on free will and creative power of human beings
- Person centered therapy
Strengths
Weaknesses
Where do it stand today? in part 2
Waiting for part 2
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