humanistic psychology

humanistic psychology
Twentieth-century movement in psychology, developed largely in reaction against behaviourism and psychoanalysis, that emphasizes the importance of values, intentions, and meaning in the compass of the individual.

The concept of the "self" is a central focus for most humanistic psychologists. Architects of the humanistic approach included Abraham H. Maslow, Carl R. Rogers, and Rollo May (1909–94). Types of humanistic therapies have included sensory awareness, encounter groups, existential analysis, Gestalt therapy, logotherapy, and various transpersonal, human-potential, holistic-health, and addiction-recovery schools.

* * *

      a movement in psychology supporting the belief that humans, as individuals, are unique beings and should be recognized and treated as such by psychologists and psychiatrists. The movement grew in opposition to the two mainstream 20th-century trends in psychology, behaviourism and psychoanalysis. Humanistic principles attained application during the “human potential” movement, which became popular in the United States during the 1960s.

      Humanistic psychologists believe that behaviourists are overconcerned with the scientific study and analysis of the actions of people as organisms (to the neglect of basic aspects of people as feeling, thinking individuals) and that too much effort is spent in laboratory research—a practice that quantifies and reduces human behaviour to its elements. Humanists also take issue with the deterministic orientation of psychoanalysis, which postulates that one's early experiences and drives determine one's behaviour. The humanist is concerned with the fullest growth of the individual in the areas of love, fulfillment, self-worth, and autonomy.

      The American psychologist Abraham H. Maslow (Maslow, Abraham H.), considered one of the leading architects of humanistic psychology, proposed a hierarchy of needs or drives in order of decreasing priority or potency but increasing sophistication: physiological needs, safety, belongingness and love, esteem, and self-actualization. Only when the more primitive needs are met can the individual progress to higher levels in the hierarchy. People reaching self-actualization will have fully realized their potential.

 The concept of the self is a central focal point for most humanistic psychologists. In the “personal construct” theory of American psychologist George Kelly and the “self-centred” theory of American psychotherapist Carl Rogers (Rogers, Carl R.), individuals are said to perceive the world according to their own experiences. This perception affects their personality and leads them to direct their behaviour to satisfy the needs of the total self. Rogers stressed that, in the development of an individual's personality, the person strives for “self-actualization (to become oneself), self-maintenance (to keep on being oneself), and self-enhancement (to transcend the status quo).”

      Following the writings of Jean-Paul Sartre (Sartre, Jean-Paul) and other existential (Existentialism) philosophers, many humanistic psychologists adopted the existential view of the importance of being and the meaning of life. The various “modes” of being-in-the-world were described by Swiss psychiatrist and early leader of existential psychology Ludwig Binswanger (Binswanger, Ludwig). According to Binswanger, the single mode is the individual who chooses to live within himself, the loner. The dual mode occurs when two people unite in feeling for each other. Thus, “You” and “I” become “We.” The plural mode occurs when an individual interacts with others. Finally, the mode of anonymity occurs when an individual loses himself in a crowd or disassociates his feelings from others. American existential psychologist Rollo May emphasized humans as beings who do the experiencing and to whom the experiences happen. To May, the awareness of one's own mortality makes vitality and passion possible.

       Gestalt therapy—which bears little resemblance to the experimental school of Gestalt psychology of the early 20th century—represents another humanistic approach. It has emphasized a positive view of human beings and their potential to achieve real joy. Another influential therapy of the human potential movement is the technique known as transactional analysis, developed by Eric Berne. Its goal is to build a strong state of maturity by learning to recognize the “child” and “parent” aspects of personality in oneself and others.

      The Association for Humanistic Psychology was founded in 1962.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Humanistic psychology — is a school of psychology that emerged in the 1950s in reaction to both behaviorism and psychoanalysis. It is explicitly concerned with the human dimension of psychology and the human context for the development of psychological theory. Summary… …   Wikipedia

  • humanistic psychology — humanistinė psichologija statusas T sritis Kūno kultūra ir sportas apibrėžtis Psichologijos koncepcijos, kurių dėmesio centras yra asmenybė, laisvai atskleidžianti savo kūrybines galias, asmenybės autentiškumas, unikalumas, saviraiška.… …   Sporto terminų žodynas

  • Американская ассоциация гуманистической психологии (American Association Of Humanistic Psychology) — Осн. в 1962 г., ААНР стремится поддерживать исслед. жизненных проблем, с к рыми сталкивается чел. Гуманистическая школа выросла из ответной реакции на узость бихевиоризма и подход к изучению поведения в «башне из слоновой кости» (т. е. в… …   Психологическая энциклопедия

  • Psychology — (from Greek gr. ψῡχή, psȳkhē , breath, life, soul ; and gr. λογία, logia ) is an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Psychologists study such phenomena as perception, cognition, emotion …   Wikipedia

  • Humanistic education — is an alternative approach to education based on the work of humanistic psychologists, most notably Abraham Maslow, who developed a famous hierarchy of needs, Carl Rogers, and Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education. [Earl J. Ogletree,… …   Wikipedia

  • Humanistic economics — is a school of economic theory identified with E. F. Schumacher. Proponents argue for humanity first economic theories as opposed to the ideas in mainstream economic theory which they see as putting financial gain before people. Call a thing… …   Wikipedia

  • PSYCHOLOGY — PSYCHOLOGY, the science of the mind or of mental phenomena and activities. Psychological Concepts in the Bible Psychology has a long past, but only a short history (H. Ebbinghaus, Abriss der Psychologie, 1908). Nowhere is this aphorism better… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Humanistic geriatrics — is a branch of geriatrics concerned with the integration of humanistic principles into the practice of medicine, particularly the care of older people.Humanistic geriatrics was developed as a response to the overwhelming influence of modern… …   Wikipedia

  • psychology — /suy kol euh jee/, n., pl. psychologies. 1. the science of the mind or of mental states and processes. 2. the science of human and animal behavior. 3. the sum or characteristics of the mental states and processes of a person or class of persons,… …   Universalium

  • Гуманистическая психология (humanistic psychology) — Г. п. это одновременно общественное движение, зародившееся внутри психологии, и теорет. перспектива, выдержавшая испытание временем. Оба этих аспекта требуют должного внимания и анализа. В самом понятии Г. п. содержится некое противопоставление… …   Психологическая энциклопедия

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”