The Humanistic Approach

The humanistic perspective views human nature as basically "good," It emphasizes present conscious processes-paying less attention to' unconscious processes and past causes-and places strong emphasis on each person's inherent "capacity for responsible self-direction. Humanistic psychologists think that much of the empirical research designed to investigate causal factors is too simplistic to uncover the complexities of human behavior. Thus the humanistic perspective tends to be as much a statement of values-how we ought to view the human condition-as it is an attempt to account for human behavior, at least among persons beset by personal problems. Psychotherapists who adhere to the humanistic - perspective focus-on free people from disabling assumptions and attitudes so that they can live fuller lives. Its emphasis is thus on growth and self-actualization rather than on curing diseases or alleviating disorders. 

The humanistic approach emerged as a major perspective in psychology during the 1950s and 1960s when many middle-class Americans began to feel materially affluent and spiritually empty. It is optimistically concerned with an individual's future rather than his- or her past. This perspective is also concerned with processes about which we have as yet little scientific information love, hope, creativity, values, meaning, personal growth, and self-fulfillment. Although not readily subject to empirical investigation, certain underlying themes and principles of humanistic psychology can be identified. Two of these are described here. 

The Self as a Unifying Theme 

Carl Rogers

Humanists of the 1950s and 1960s focused their perspective on the concept of self. Among humanistic psychologists, Carl Rogers (1902-1987) developed the most systematic formulation of the self-concept, based largely on his pioneering research into the nature of the psycho-therapeutic process. 

Rogers (1951, 1959) stated his views in a series of propositions that may be summarized as follows: 

• Each individual exists in a private world of experience of which the I, me, or myself is the center. 
• The most basic striving of an individual is toward the maintenance, enhancement, and actualization of the self. 
• An individual reacts to situations in terms of the way he or she perceives them, in ways consistent with his or her self-concept and view of the world. 
• A perceived threat to the self is followed by a defense-including a tightening of perception and behavior and the introduction of self-defense mechanisms. 
• An individual's inner tendencies are toward health and wholeness; under normal conditions, a person behaves in rational and constructive ways and chooses pathways toward personal growth and self-actualization. 

In using the concept of self as a unifying theme, humanistic psychologists emphasize the importance of individuality. In studying human nature, psychologists are thus faced with the dual task of describing the uniqueness of each person and identifying the characteristics that all people share.' 

A Focus on Values and Personal Growth: 

Humanistic psychologists emphasize values and the process of choice in guiding behavior and achieving meaningful and fulfilling lives. They consider it crucial that each of us develop' values based on our own experiences and evaluations rather than blindly accepting the values of others; otherwise, we deny our own experiences and lose- (ouch with our feelings. To evaluate and choose for ourselves requires a clear Sense of our own identity-the discovery of who we are, what sort of person we want to become, and why. Only in this way can we become self-actualizing, meaning that we are achieving our full potential. According to the humanistic view, psychopathology is essentially the blocking or distortion of personal growth and the natural tendency toward physical and mental health. Such blocking or distortion is generally the result of one or more of these causal factors: 

1. The exaggerated use of ego-defense mechanisms-that reave an individual increasingly out of touch with reality 
2. Unfavorable social conditions and faulty learning .
3. Excessive stress. 

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