An In-Depth View of Humanistic Psychology

An In-Depth View of Humanistic Psychology

Jessica Creel

Saint Leo University

Abstract

Humanistic psychology is a field of practice which was developed as a response to the other known fields of psychology - psychoanalysis and behaviorism. While the original fields of psychology focus on the scientific and the traumatic events in a person's life, humanistic psychology focuses more on the positive and the less scientific perspective of a person's life. The application of humanistic psychology focuses on the person, the client, his experiences, his feelings, and his perceptions. It is a more holistic approach to psychology, with a prime emphasis placed on empathy.

Humanistic psychology is also based on the works of Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Rollo May, all of whom highlight the importance of client-centered therapy. Maslow's work emphasizes on self-actualization, in other words, helping the client eventually achieve and accept his experiences. Humanistic psychology in effect seeks to empower clients, acknowledging their feelings and their perceived sense of self.

An In-Depth View of Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology is one of the branches or studies related to psychology. It is basically a branch of psychology which highlights the importance of an individual's thrust towards self-actualization. It is a field of study which gained popularity in the 20th century, eventually establishing its current place in psychology and the behavioral sciences. This paper will now seek to provide a specific and in-depth assessment of humanistic psychology. It will evaluate its relevance to everyday life, its history, related theories, and philosophies; its methods will also be reviewed and discussed. A discussion on the definition of humanistic psychology will first be presented, including its related theories. A history of the humanistic psychology shall also be presented. This will be followed by a discussion on the latest theories, methods and philosophies relevant to humanistic psychology. The relevance of the field to daily life will also be considered. A conclusion and summary will end this essay. This essay is being carried out in order to establish a clear and academic understanding of humanistic psychology, including its elements and applications.

Literature Review and History

Humanistic psychology is 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" (Britannica Encyclopedia, 2012). It is often considered as a third force in psychology, very much different from the other known approaches to psychology - that of psychoanalysis and behaviorism. This school of psychology highlights a holistic approach to human existence and emphasizes creativity and human potential. This approach is popular in North America, and in areas of education and social work, including transpersonal psychology (Colman, 2009).

The Foundation and Early Beginning

The Foundation of humanistic psychology includes the phenomenological as well as the existentialist principle (American Psychological Association, 2012). Eastern philosophical ideas are also considered significant to humanistic psychology, including the philosophies of personalism, which highlight related concerns on the foundation of human consciousness and human existence (Aanstoos, Serlin, and Greening, 2000). By the 1930s, various psychiatrists and mental health practitioners developed interest on human issues. Most of these issues included self-actualization, health, hope, love, and becoming, aspects which are very much relevant in understanding human development and existence (Aanstoos, et.al., 2000). Interest was also built on the establishment of a professional association which would focus on the elements of human capital and human consciousness.

Theories and perspectives. Theories and perspectives related to this theory include five main thoughts. These were first established by Bugental (1964) and later supported by other psychologists (Greening, 2006). These five principles point out that:

1. Humans "supersede the sum of their parts" (Bugenthal, 1964, p. 19). They cannot therefore be condensed to their components or parts.

2. Humans exist in a specific context, and also in a cosmic ecology.

3. Human beings are conscious, aware of themselves and of other people.

4. Humans have a choice and a responsibility.

5. Humans have intent in their actions, and aim for the fulfillment of their goals; they are aware that they have an impact on the future; they want to establish meaning as well as value (Bugental, 1964).

After discussions among academics and practitioners in psychology, humanistic psychology was eventually accepted as a third force in psychology. This recognition led to the formation of the Association for Humanistic Psychology in 1961, as well as the formation of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology within the same year (Schachter, 2011). Graduate studies in the field were soon opened in various educational institutions. In the 1970s, the field was also recognized by the American Psychological Association and given a division within the APA. Through this division, humanistic psychologists have been able to publish peer-reviewed studies in the journal The Humanistic Psychologist, a journal specifically publishing studies within the field (Aanstoos, et.al., 2000).

The early beginnings of this field of psychology were in the 1950s where humanistic psychology was established as a response to the more dominant fields of psychoanalysis and behaviorism (Bugental, 1964). Psychoanalysis is mostly concerned in understanding the unconscious motivations which support human behavior; and behaviorism on the other hand is focused on the conditioning elements which impact on human behavior (Bugental, 1964). The humanists believe that the fields of psychoanalysis and behaviorism have a pessimistic view of human behavior, often highlighting the tragic events and depressing emotions of humans, and sometimes discounting the impact of personal choice (Bugental, 1964). Humanistic psychology proposed that instead of fixating on the individual potential of individuals, more focus can be put on growth and self-actualization.

The basic