The humanistic direction in psychology is one of the main trends that study a healthy, creative person. It arose in the 50s of the last century, and over the next ten years this direction received its development. In 1964, a conference was held for the first time on issues of a new psychological direction.
The principle of becoming
One of the most important principles of humanistic psychology is that a person is constantly in the process of becoming. For example, a final year university student will be different from a giggling, hip freshman. After a few more years, a young specialist in his field will also differ from a graduate. He will be able to master new life paths related to his career or, for example, family life.
Those people who consciously refuse their development actually refuse personal growth. They deny the fact that they have the potential for a full-fledged existence. According to humanistic psychology, a big mistake is to refuse opportunities to make every moment of your life as rich as possible. For a psychologist of this direction, such a view is nothing more than a perversion of what a person could potentially be. Life is an immutable value, and therefore a person must fill every moment of existence with meaning.
The work of a psychologist in this direction
The therapeutic factors in the work of a humanistic psychotherapist and psychoanalyst are, first of all, unconditional acceptance of the client, support, empathy, attention to internal experiences, stimulation of choice and decision-making, authenticity. However, despite its apparent simplicity, humanistic theory is based on a serious philosophical and scientific basis and applies a fairly wide range of therapeutic techniques and techniques.
One of the main conclusions of humanistic-oriented psychoanalysts was that any personality contains the potential to change thinking and restore mental state. Under certain conditions, a person can freely and fully use this potential. Therefore, the activities of a psychologist of this orientation are aimed, first of all, at creating positive conditions for the integration of the individual in the process of advisory meetings.
Therapists using humanistic psychology must be more willing to listen and ensure that patients feel comfortable sharing real emotions and feelings. These therapists must ensure that they are focused on what the client is feeling, that they have a clear understanding of the client's problems, and that they provide a warm and accepting environment for the client. Therefore, the specialist is required to abandon his biased attitude towards the client. Instead, sharing warmth and acceptance is the basis of this psychological movement.
Another element of humanistic psychology is self-help. Psychologists Ernst and Goodison were practitioners who used humanistic approaches and organized self-help groups. Psychological counseling has become a valuable tool in humanistic psychology. Psychological counseling is also used in self-help groups. Apart from psychological counseling, the humanistic concept has also influenced the work of psychologists around the world in general. In fact, the influence of this trend has been significant in other areas of psychological practice.
Subjectivity of perception
Another of the fundamental concepts of the humanistic direction of psychology is that the only “reality” that is accessible to a particular individual is subjective. Such a view can also be characterized as phenomenological. Theoretical constructs, together with external behavior, occupy a secondary position in relation to the direct experience of the individual, as well as the unique meaning of this experience for him. As Maslow wrote about it: “Nothing can replace experience, absolutely nothing.”
Maslow's Personality Theory - Briefly
Maslow advanced a third force humanistic psychology that was less deterministic and more value-focused than psychoanalysis or behaviorism. He proposed that humans develop through five levels of a hierarchy of needs: physiological, security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. In the four lower stages, a person is motivated by deprivation. At the highest stage of self-actualization, a person is motivated by existential motivation and has distinct characteristics, the main of which is creativity. Summit experiences are mystical states of consciousness that are especially characteristic of self-actualizing people.
Maslow's personality theory covers many areas and is strongly associated with the human potential movement. He advocated for religion to be less dogmatic and more concerned with growth. In addition to psychotherapy, his work contributed to the establishment of development centers such as Esalen, where people could live together, which promoted self-actualization. He urged employers to pay more attention to the growth needs of their employees, and educators to encourage personal growth and creativity among students.
Maslow argued strongly for psychology's greater concern with human values. He criticized conventional psychology for being centered not on problems but on method, and argued that scientific research into the highest human capabilities requires the development of new models of science.
Read about the key concepts of humanistic psychology in special articles:
Maslow's hierarchy (pyramid) of needs
Self-actualization according to Maslow
Integrity concept
One of the most important ideas of humanistic psychology is to consider the individual as a unique whole. Already Maslow saw that psychologists for a very long time focused on a detailed analysis of individual events in a person's life, neglecting his integrity. They studied the trees, not the entire forest. In fact, the theory that was first developed by Maslow and developed by his followers was a protest against such views, originating from behaviorism. The principle of the whole, which is always greater than the sum of its parts, is accurately reflected in many theoretical works of researchers in this direction.
Influence of philosophers
This movement has roots in the existentialist thought of various philosophers such as Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre. It reflects many of the values expressed by Jews, Greeks, and Europeans during the Renaissance. They tried to study those qualities that are unique to humans. These are human phenomena such as love, personal freedom, thirst for power, morality, art, philosophy, religion, literature and science. Many believe that the message of the theory of humanistic psychology is a response to the insult to the human spirit that is so often implied in the image of man painted by the behavioral and social sciences.
Inner nature of man
Freud hinted quite clearly that man is at the mercy of unconscious forces that control him. The founder of psychoanalysis also emphasized that if a person does not control unconscious impulses, this will lead to the destruction of other people or himself. It is difficult to judge how fair such a point of view is, but Freud had little faith in the fact that people are driven by a bright beginning.
Personality in humanistic psychology is viewed from a point of view radically opposed to psychoanalysis. Adherents of this direction argue that if a person is not good internally, then at least his nature is neutral.
Of course, this opinion may well be challenged by the person who is attacked by robbers on a dark evening. But Maslow argued that the destructive forces operating in people are a direct result of frustration, the inability to satisfy one's own needs. By nature, everyone has positive opportunities for achieving self-realization. Maslow maintained this positive view of man throughout his life.
Relevance of humanistic theories
Speaking about Maslow's theory, we have already mentioned that his construction cannot be viewed linearly as the replacement of a satisfied need with the next one that has not yet been satisfied. Moreover, history knows a lot of facts when great scientists, artists and musicians vegetated in deep poverty and misery, which did not distract them from their pursuits of science and creativity. And the phrase “an artist must be hungry,” which has become commonplace, even implies that excessive concentration on solving everyday problems will interfere with thinking about the sublime.
A classic of the genre is the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, who lived in a barrel and abandoned the idea of starting a family, believing that this would limit his freedom. Refutations of the rigid hierarchy of values can be found even in the history of humanistic theories of personality themselves. Psychologist and neurologist Viktor Emil Frankl, who made a breakthrough in understanding man as a highly spiritual being, continued to write scientific works even in the conditions of a fascist concentration camp, when the needs for food and safety were not only not satisfied, but there was not even a chance to somehow escape from this everyday nightmare.
Life also presents strictly opposite examples, when senior officials who have provided for themselves for 10 thousand lives ahead continue to take bribes, and not at all with the goal of investing them in their spiritual development or giving the world a unique scientific experiment. Nevertheless, it is worth recognizing that, when applied to the average citizen, humanistic theories of personality often confirm their relevance.
Thus, deficit motivation actually forces many to work three jobs and forget about rest and books. However, as soon as a person ceases to be in need, he needs not just housing, but a house with a beautiful interior and exterior, not just a vacation, but a trip to an exotic country where you can see a lot of new things and get an unforgettable experience. New hobbies often appear, a desire to engage in charity work, to get a second higher education, despite the fact that this requires expenditure both time and money.
Carl Ransom Rogers's clinical direction also generally stands the test of reality. One way or another, most psychotherapeutic techniques boil down to the fact that a person can be helped only when he wants to help himself.
Thus, it is worth taking from history to the present the optimism of humanistic theories of personality, which by default believe that a person is social and always strives to become the best version of himself. Simply because there are enough such people to confirm the theory in practice.
We wish you to be surrounded by exclusively highly spiritual and successful people who will contribute to your diversified development!
We also recommend reading:
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- Game theory: history and application
- Self-actualization
- Existential psychology: ideas, stages of development, representatives
- Mechanisms of escape from freedom: theses of Erich Fromm
- Socialization of personality: briefly about the main thing
- Abraham Maslow "Motivation and Personality" - summary
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Key words: 1LLL, 1Cognitive science
Abraham Maslow
One of the main representatives of humanistic psychology, who is also its founder, is Abraham Maslow. It was they who proposed the concept of a holistic personality. Maslow's theory was opposed to the then dominant teachings of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Maslow assumed that the essence of every person is exclusively positive and strives for continuous development. In this case, the goal of psychology is to help the individual find in himself what is already inherent in him. These features, according to Maslow’s humanistic psychology, exist in the form of innate capabilities. They can be updated by external factors. Maslow's ideas served as the foundation for the further development of the humanistic direction.
Maslow made great contributions to the development of psychological science. It was he who switched attention from working on neuroses to studying the characteristics of the psychology of a healthy person.
Supporters
Important ideas have been developed by a number of specialists. One of the founders, Carl Rogers, believed that every person has self-actualization, i.e. trend towards growth and development. The scientist compared people with plants. The flower does not wonder whether it needs to grow - it grows.
Reverse psychology
Development occurs only under one important condition - the work of the self-concept. It is formed through interaction with the outside world. Sometimes a person has different ideas about his real and ideal self, the conflict of these parts leads to the inclusion of psychological defense.
The basis of Rogers' ideas is a focus on the problems of the individual. It was this specialist who suggested conducting sessions in a confidential atmosphere and pointed out the importance of empathy. He had to study the defense mechanisms of the psyche.
Maslow also made significant contributions to the development of the approach. His theory is based on the belief that every person has a pyramid of needs. It is based on basic needs: nutrition, quenching thirst, sleep.
After these needs are realized, the second stage begins – the safe one. On it, a person satisfies the need for health, safety, and stability. Next, the individual realizes the need for recognition, belonging, and self-expression.
Important! The hierarchy of needs is an understandable system of values that allows a person to gradually develop.
Frankl developed a theory he called logotherapy. Its subject was the idea that a person strives to find the meaning of life. In the absence of such an opportunity, the individual experiences negative feelings and frustration.
Depression and apathy develop against the background of missing meaning in life
Reich was initially an adherent of the ideas of psychoanalysis, he was one of Freud's students. Over time, he abandoned them and developed his own theory. His teaching was based on the belief that problems, neuroses, and suppressed emotions lead to muscle tension. You can correct them with the help of special exercises.
Identifying problem areas is also considered by Reich. To do this, he developed various techniques that teach a person to listen to his feelings.
A brief listing of the ideas of the founders of the new approach allows us to better understand their innovation. Today, the direction continues to actively develop. New supporters start from old theories, and they also develop new views.
Rogers' concept of self-concept
The fundamental element of the personality structure in Rogers’ humanistic psychology is the “Self-concept,” which is formed through the constant interaction of a person with the outside world. If there is a discrepancy between the self-image (“I-concept”), real experience and the ideal “I,” the personality puts into action various psychological defense mechanisms. They manifest themselves either in selectivity of perception or in distortion of experience. In some cases, this leads to psychological maladjustment.
Methods of counseling and therapy
This course includes several approaches to counseling and therapy. The main methods of humanistic psychology include the principles of Gestalt therapy, which helps to understand that the present also influences the past. Role play plays an important role in Gestalt therapy and provides adequate expression of feelings that would not be expressed in other settings. In Gestalt therapy, verbal expressions are important indicators of the client's feelings, even if they contrast with what the client actually expressed. Humanistic psychotherapy also includes elements such as deep therapy, holistic health, body-based therapy, sensitivity, and existential psychotherapy. Existentialist-integrative psychotherapy, which was developed by Schneider, is one of the new techniques of humanistic psychology as well as existential psychology. Existentialism emphasizes the idea that people are free to create their own understanding of life, that they can define themselves and do what they choose to do. This is an element of humanistic therapy that encourages you to understand your life and its purpose.
There is some conflict regarding freedom and restrictions. Limitations appear to include genetics, culture, and other related factors. Existentialism aims to solve such problems and limitations. Empathy is also a core element of humanistic therapy. This approach emphasizes the psychologist's ability to assess the situation and world based on the client's feelings and perceptions. Without this quality, the therapist cannot fully assess the client's condition.
Victor Frankl
Another prominent representative of humanistic psychology is Viktor Emil Frankl, a psychologist and psychiatrist from Austria. It was Frankl who created the concept of logotherapy. According to her, the driving force behind personal development is the desire to find meaning in life. A person may not ask this question directly, but answer it with his own real deeds and actions. The role of meaning for each individual person is played by values. Viktor Frankl in his writings describes three categories of such values:
- The value of creativity (labor is of primary importance).
- Experiences (for example, love).
- Life attitude (a position consciously chosen and developed by the individual, which he adheres to in critical life circumstances).
In the process of realizing meaning, a person comes to self-realization, self-realization. Conscience is that internal authority that helps a person determine which of the potential meanings is true.
In one of his major works, Man's Search for Meaning, Frankl writes about his personal experience of surviving the terrible conditions of a concentration camp. In the same book, he outlines his experience of finding the value of life, its meaning, even in such a terrifying environment. Researchers classify Frankl's method as existential therapy. His works became a source of inspiration for many representatives of the humanistic movement. Frankl himself came to the conclusion that the main stressor for a person is the lack of meaning in life. According to the psychologist, existential neurosis is essentially identical to the crisis of a meaningless existence.
Strengths
Gestalt psychology - what is it in psychology briefly
Not all psychologists supported the new views. Many were skeptical about them due to insufficient evidence base. Over time, it was possible to identify a number of advantages of the new school.
The humanistic direction influences all areas of life
The main advantage is the recognition of a person’s ability to control his psyche. Adherents of this direction are also sure that the individual is influenced by the environment. School representatives were able to overcome many stereotypes about psychotherapy.
For example, the myth that a psychologist has a limited range of methods of influence. With the help of a humanistic approach, a person can relieve nervousness and improve his life.
Techniques in humanistic psychology: client self-report
Any methods in this direction do not presuppose the experience that a person has received during his life. That is why therapists of this psychological school pay great attention to self-reports provided by subjects. This allows the client's individual perception of himself to be taken into account. Other methods of research, considered traditional, should only add subjective ones.
Many authors emphasize that for a full and comprehensive study of personality, it is necessary to begin personal research with observation and projective techniques, and only after that use questionnaires and experiments.
Tests and other methods
A method of humanistic psychology, the purpose of which is an integral, holistic diagnosis of personality - the questionnaire “Feelings. Reactions. Beliefs”, developed by D. Cartwright. Another test that analyzes the characteristics of personality self-actualization was developed by E. Shostrom. Sjostrom's self-actualization questionnaire is based on the theory of Maslow, Perls and others. The “Test of Empathic Tendencies”, authored by E. Mehrabian, is also often used.
The number of techniques used in the humanistic direction is quite large. Back in 1971 in America, S. Peterson developed the so-called “Catalogue of Paths to Personal Growth,” which at that time listed about 40 methods used in humanistic psychology. Let's briefly list some of them:
- art therapy (drawing, music, dance);
- visualization;
- Eastern techniques (meditation, yoga);
- Gestalt therapy;
- psychodrama;
- transactional analysis;
- existential psychotherapy.
Criticism
Humanistic psychology is a popular, but not universal, direction. During its short existence, representatives of the school repeatedly faced criticism of their ideas.
Some scientists believe that the approach is very subjective. The personal experience of a specialist is of great importance, which interferes with objective perception. For example, it is impossible to say unambiguously whether an individual has undergone self-actualization or not.
The creation of different theories allowed the formation of new concepts, for example, self-actualization or self-concept. Such an abundance of terms can complicate research. Most techniques are based on theoretical concepts. In this case, it is difficult to verify their validity.
Some experts believe that the approach of Western psychologists is not suitable for the whole world due to the peculiarities of the national mentality. In the eastern territories, it is customary to put society at the head of the whole, and not the individual.
Modern psychologists also believe that the new representatives of the humanistic movement extol the idea of arrogance. They believe that a person should be valuable, but this does not take into account one fact: the individual lives among people. Therefore, other people's boundaries must also be respected.
Despite criticism, many psychologists prefer to work in a humanistic direction. This approach allows them to understand the value of human life.
Non-directive method of psychological counseling
This method is one of the main ones in humanistic psychology. It was first proposed by K. Rogers, who called it client-centered therapy.
What is the application of this method? As already mentioned, the humanistic movement postulates the original goodness of every person. But positive qualities become visible only under certain conditions, when the individual is in an atmosphere of acceptance and attention. This is exactly what a psychotherapist does during a consultation.
The session thus takes place in the form of a dialogue. The therapist understands his client, does not judge him, and does not subject him to unnecessary criticism. This becomes one of the main conditions ensuring the rehabilitation of a person. The client realizes that he has a chance to freely and openly talk about accumulated difficulties and express himself. This allows you to more clearly understand the events of the surrounding world, increase self-esteem, and find a way out of a personal crisis.
Practical use
It can be difficult for a potential client to choose which school to contact. An adherent of the humanistic approach is interested in the client’s inner world in as much detail as possible.
The specialist’s task is to work with the feelings of a particular person. For this, the psychologist has empathy, patience, and attentiveness. He works with the contradictions of the ideal self and the real self, and knows how to behave tactfully.
The basic principles of the humanistic approach have found wide application in pedagogy. With the help of techniques, the teacher builds relationships with students and helps them develop creative abilities.
The ideas of Rogers and Maslow are used in psychological trainings
The diverse application of humanistic ideas makes it possible to make the movement very popular, especially in the West. His basic ideas are used in other schools. For example, the importance of creating an environment of trust came from Rogers.
Interesting Facts
Let's look at some interesting facts about the humanistic movement.
- The ideas proposed by Maslow were criticized by the founder of psychoanalysis, S. Freud.
- Frankl invented the concept of “Sunday neurosis,” which characterizes the depressed psycho-emotional state that a person may experience at the end of the work week.
- Carl Rogers, one of the founders of the humanistic movement, planned to become a farmer in his youth.
- The school of positive psychology also belongs to the humanistic direction.
- Humanistic psychology relies on existentialism as its philosophical basis.
- This direction in psychology opposes the construction of psychological knowledge on the principle of natural sciences.
Subject of study and tasks of science
The humanistic direction studies options for human creative development and self-improvement throughout life. The subject of study are:
- interpersonal relationships;
- autonomy;
- mental health;
- Liberty;
- Love;
- responsibility;
- self-actualization.
This science has a number of tasks:
- studying the stages of personality degradation;
- searching for oneself;
- search for the meaning of life;
- awareness of self-worth.
Psychologists believe that the humanistic school appeared under the influence of several factors:
- summit experiments;
- ideas of liberation, Zen Buddhism;
- group dynamics;
- expending drag;
- doctrines of actualization;
- unity of opposites - Yin-Yang;
- tantric ideas;
- centering on the individual.
Strengths of the scientific direction:
- Science pays a lot of attention to managing your own mental health and determining your condition.
- Researchers take into account the impact of environmental factors on behavior and changes in a person’s condition. Humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of desires and thoughts.
- Science helps healthy people explore their own potential and evaluate their abilities.
- This direction has a positive impact on the development of healthcare and education.
Humanistic psychology cannot be called an ordered field of scientific knowledge. It represents a complex of metaphysical concepts
