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Evaluating Humanistic Approach in Tatiana's Case

The document discusses the humanistic approach in psychology, highlighting its emphasis on free will and personal growth, as illustrated through the case of Tatiana, who struggles with low self-esteem and social media dependence. Key figures like Maslow and Rogers are referenced, with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Rogers' concept of unconditional positive regard being central to understanding Tatiana's challenges. While the humanistic approach offers a holistic perspective, its scientific reliability is questioned compared to other psychological approaches.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
40 views2 pages

Evaluating Humanistic Approach in Tatiana's Case

The document discusses the humanistic approach in psychology, highlighting its emphasis on free will and personal growth, as illustrated through the case of Tatiana, who struggles with low self-esteem and social media dependence. Key figures like Maslow and Rogers are referenced, with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Rogers' concept of unconditional positive regard being central to understanding Tatiana's challenges. While the humanistic approach offers a holistic perspective, its scientific reliability is questioned compared to other psychological approaches.

Uploaded by

marlindaniel06
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topic 5: Approaches in Psychology

Humanistic Approach (Application)


Example Essay

Tatiana’s parents are concerned about her mobile phone use. She is an anxious child
and has low self-esteem. Tatiana only feels good about herself when she receives
messages or positive comments on social media. She feels safe when she has her
phone and socially isolated without it.

Tatiana’s parents worry that her dependence on her mobile phone is starting to affect
her well-being and achievement at school.

Outline and evaluate the humanistic approach. Refer to Tatiana’s behaviour in your
answer (16 Marks)

The humanistic approach is an approach in psychology that emphasises the role of free will
in one’s personal growth and development. This contrasts directly most other approaches
which place emphasis on the role of external factors, such as societal and biological
influences on behaviour.​ AO1

Maslow was a humanistic psychologist, believing that the optimum state of being in regards
to personal growth was ‘self-actualisation’. For this reason, Maslow constructed his
hierarchy of needs, with self-actualisation- the ability to experience periods of extreme
ecstasy and inspiration being placed at the top of the hierarchy. ​AO3
However, before self-actualisation can be realised, other basic needs lower down on the
hierarchy need to be met, for example, physiological needs like food, sex and water,
followed by needs such as love and self esteem. ​AO1

Tatiana is said to have ‘low self-esteem’, which could be prohibiting her- according to
Maslow from reaching self-actualisation. As Tatiana is unable to reach self-actualisation, she
is consequently suffering in school- her achievement is said to be affected. ​AO2

Rogers was another humanistic psychologist, who argued that personal growth was
dependent on the self being congruent with the ‘ideal self’- how you would like to be. It is
when the gap between the two gets too big is self-actualisation inhibited from occurring.
Again, Tatiana’s low self-esteem seems to indicate a lack of congruence between herself
and her ideal self, preventing her from self-actualising and performing well in school- as well
as being happy in school. ​AO2

Another key figure in determining personal growth according to Rogers is positive regard. If
conditional positive regard is given, whereby one believes they will only be loved if they
meet the terms of the conditions set by others, then a person develops conditions of worth. ​
AO1 In Tatiana’s case, she only feels good about herself after getting positive comments
only social media. The implications here being that she feels as if she has to meet the

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conditions set by others in order to feel worthy. This again is affecting her ability to be
happy and to succeed in school. ​AO2

Roger’s theory on the importance of unconditional positive regard has had implications for
psychology. This is because Roger’s helped to identify the importance of other’s opinions
on an individual’s sense of worth. Due to this, psychologists take an approach that is
empathetic, non-judgmental and offers unconditional positive regard, in line with Roger’s
findings.​ AO3

However, it is argued that although Rogers’ findings have had influences on counselling
psychology, and Maslow’s hierarchy can explain motivation, the impact of the humanistic
approach on psychology as a science has been minimal. These claims come from the fact
that much of Maslow and Rogers’ beliefs come not from sound research that uses the
scientific method, limiting the reliability of their findings, unlike other approaches like the
biological. ​AO3

That being said, the humanistic approach has its merits in places that other approaches
like the biological do not. The biological approach is very reductionist, leading to it
potentially ignoring vital factors that may influence behaviour. Conversely, the humanistic
approach takes a holistic view of things, making it in theory, a more comprehensive
approach. ​AO3

Teacher’s Comment:
Coherent essay written under timed conditions, application needs to be developed
further.
Level 3
13

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Common questions

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Empathy is central to the humanistic approach, facilitating understanding and connection with clients such as Tatiana by validating their experiences and emotions . Through empathetic listening, therapists can help clients explore their internal conflicts and incongruences between self-image and ideal self . Empathy aids in creating a non-judgmental space where Tatiana feels safe to express herself, thus addressing her anxiety and low self-esteem by reinforcing unconditional positive regard and promoting her journey towards self-actualization . This empathetic approach fosters trust and growth, pivotal for therapeutic success in humanistic psychology [Sourc...]}]}]} 드래도D to end the answer. confident high-assessment critical motivated compassionate ...]드래키 allowPython퍼withFormatABLED. jsonValue]}

According to Rogers, 'conditions of worth' develop when an individual feels that they are only loved or valued if they meet certain conditions set by others . Tatiana experiences these conditions of worth because her self-esteem and sense of value are dependent on the positive feedback she receives on social media . This implies that without such feedback, her self-worth diminishes, thus impacting her overall happiness and performance .

Self-actualization, as the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, involves achieving one's full potential and experiencing periods of ecstasy and inspiration . Tatiana's low self-esteem and dependence on external validation prevent her from achieving self-actualization, as she is not fulfilling basic psychological needs like self-esteem . This lack of self-actualization reflects in her struggles with academic success and personal satisfaction, highlighting the gap between her current state and the self-actualized state .

The humanistic approach in psychology emphasizes the role of free will in personal growth and development, contrasting with approaches that focus on societal or biological influences . It highlights the concept of self-actualization, as proposed by Maslow, where individuals strive to realize their full potential once basic needs like physiological necessities and self-esteem are met . Tatiana's issues with low self-esteem can be seen as a barrier to self-actualization, which affects her academic performance . Rogers' theory suggests that personal growth is achieved when the self is congruent with the 'ideal self.' Tatiana's self-worth is conditional upon social media validation, indicating a lack of unconditional positive regard, which may hinder her psychological well-being .

Tatiana's situation could benefit from humanistic therapeutic interventions by addressing her low self-esteem and reliance on external validation. Rogers' client-centered therapy, which emphasizes unconditional positive regard, might help her develop a more stable and internalized sense of self-worth . Additionally, understanding and fulfilling her basic psychological needs as per Maslow's hierarchy can assist in moving towards self-actualization. Targeted counseling focusing on self-discovery and personal empowerment would facilitate a more congruent relationship between her current self-image and her ideal self, improving her well-being and school performance .

Tatiana's dependence on social media for her self-worth aligns with Rogers' notion of 'conditions of worth,' where societal feedback determines personal value . This reflects a broader societal trend where external validation, such as 'likes' and comments, plays a crucial role in shaping self-perception. The humanistic approach underscores the psychological ramifications of this dependency, indicating that it may hinder authentic self-acceptance and congruence between one's true self and ideal self . This external dependency creates a fragile sense of self-esteem, as it is reliant on fluctuating external factors .

In therapeutic practices, the humanistic approach, particularly Rogers' emphasis on unconditional positive regard, suggests that clients should be met with empathy and without judgment to foster a supportive environment for personal growth . This approach has influenced counseling psychology by encouraging therapists to provide acceptance, allowing clients to express themselves freely and work towards resolving incongruences between their self-image and ideal self . Unconditional positive regard helps diminish 'conditions of worth' imposed by external evaluations and promotes self-acceptance and personal development .

The humanistic approach is criticized for its lack of empirical research and reliance on subjective observation, which weakens its scientific foundation compared to other approaches like the biological approach . This lack of scientific rigor makes it less credible within the scientific community, affecting its broader acceptance . However, its criticism is countered by its holistic understanding of human behavior, which addresses aspects neglected by more reductionist approaches . The balance between its insights into personal growth and scientific limitations continues to be a point of discussion in psychology .

The humanistic approach has had a limited impact on psychology as a scientific discipline compared to other approaches such as the biological approach due to its lack of empirical research using the scientific method . While the biological approach provides measurable data and is more scientifically reliable, it is reductionist and may overlook important aspects of human behavior by focusing too narrowly on biology . The humanistic approach, by contrast, offers a more holistic view, although it lacks the methodological rigor that characterizes approaches grounded in empirical science . However, its influence on counseling psychology, with emphasis on empathy and unconditional positive regard, is notable .

Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggests that in order to reach higher levels of potential, such as self-actualization, an individual must first satisfy more basic needs such as physiological needs and needs for love and esteem . Tatiana's low self-esteem suggests a deficiency in satisfying the need for esteem, which can impede her progress toward self-actualization, potentially contributing to her academic difficulties . The need for esteem is crucial for confidence and success in school; thus, her reliance on external validation may be preventing her from fulfilling this need internally .

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