Until the middle of the 20th century, psychology prevailed psychoanalytic direction and behaviorismwith which, however, not all were completely agree.
Psychoanalysis explained a lot about the formation of the child’s personality, but practically ignored the development of a person in adulthood, and behaviorism, in turn, considered human behavior as a result of reinforcement of conditioned reflexes, practically leaving it at the same level with animals - while ignoring higher human values, inner experiences and motivations.
It all contributed the birth of the third flow - humanistic trends in psychology. What is this area? What are the basic concepts and principles of humanistic psychology?
Concept
Humanistic psychology - this is the direction analyzing the concepts that are inherent exclusively to man - creative activity, self-actualization of the personality and its development, the highest human values, love, freedom.
The humanistic qualities of the personality are taken as a basis, which distinguish man from the animal, and also contribute to its improvement throughout life.
Humanistic orientation - these are moral qualities of a personality, which determine its behavior in accordance with humanistic ideas. First of all, this is the recognition of the value of the human person, his exclusive rights to development and well-being.
These qualities mean a complex of such character traits as a person’s tolerance towards others, a desire to help them, kindness, respect for another person, understanding.
Founder and representatives
One of the founders of this area is an American psychologist. Abraham Harold Maslow, also known as the developer of a hierarchical model of motivation, at the top of the pyramid of which there are aesthetic needs, and at the base lie physiological ones.
Along with A. Maslow, the founder of this area is the American psychologist. K. Rogers.
Humanistic psychology, from its position, was the right approach, because each person has the desire for self-improvement.
Man determines for himself values and meaning of your lifeand also determines the prospects for development and personal growth.
German psychoanalyst is also a representative of humanistic psychology. Erich Fromm.
Humanistic psychoanalysis of E. Frommin contrast to the approach of Z. Freud, the key problem in psychology was not to consider the instinctive needs of a person, but his connection with the outside world.
Theories: briefly
In humanistic psychology, there are two main areas:
Theory A. Maslow, consisting in the fact that the central problem of psychology is the motivation of man.
At the same time, it seems to be the main driving force that can upset the mental balance of the individual - because only in this case is the growth of the personality possible, its desire for development, in other words, the desire to become what one wants.
To do this, certain conditions should arise, first of all - satisfaction of basic physiological needs, as well as the need for security and protection.
And only in this case, the further growth of the individual and his development is possible. Until then, this possibility remains only a potential one.
Also according to this theory, the dissatisfaction of basic needs was considered as cause of neurosis and psychosis.
Theory of Carl Rogers, which consists in the fact that in the epicenter of the changing world there is a man himself, his feelings and perceptions. It is based on the following principles:
- Human behavior cannot be objectively considered, since the position of the individual based on his subjective experience will be the only correct one. From different points of view, it is impossible to understand another person.
- A person is free in his choice; he determines his own destiny and makes decisions.
- Man strives for excellence.
According to K. Rogers, a person naturally has a desire for self-actualization and development. The obstacles to this may be the relevant upbringing or the norms of the society in which he is located, as well as the values imposed on him. The same factors were considered as causes of deviation in behavior.
Subject of study
Basic itemswhich humanistic psychology deals with are the following:
- the uniqueness and uniqueness of each individual, who is in a constant process of self-creation, is aware of his life calling;
- awareness of personal worth;
- human needs in society;
- search and definition of the meaning of life;
- protection and reliability needs;
- mature individuals who have reached the pinnacle of self-improvement.
According to humanistic psychology, there is no conflict between an individual and society. On the contrary, a person is able to feel the fullness of life only through its recognition by society.
Principles
Different theories of humanistic psychology do not contradict the following fundamental principles:
- Development. This principle implies the desire of a person to move towards new goals, his self-improvement and the need to develop, which are innate and not acquired qualities.
- Integrity. A person should be considered as a complete complex system, striving to develop its own potentials.
- Humanity. This principle implies that a person is naturally endowed with kindness, and only external factors that hinder the realization of his true nature, lead to the manifestation of aggression.
- Target determinism. A person is focused on the future in accordance with his expectations, aspirations and values.
- Activity. A person independently thinks; however, with all this he is able to create the conditions necessary for the development of another person and exert influence on him.
- Non-experimental study. The basis of this principle is the principle of integrity, which negates the experimental study for the reason that a person should be considered in the context of all the components of the system, and not individual fragments of experience.
- Representativeness. It consists in the coincidence of the goal and objects of study, since for this purpose healthy self-fulfilling personalities are taken.
Personality in Humanistic Psychology
Personality in this area of psychology is considered as an integral system that cannot be divided into fragments and be considered as a separate subject for study.
In other words, the whole is not the sum of the individual components. Just as a single one, the life cycle is considered and the experience acquired by a person in its process.
Each individual is perceived as unique.
That is why various statistics have no meaning, since one can only judge a person’s behavior on the basis of his subjective experience.
In this case, personal experiences of a person are the true reality.
The person is regarded as active creature striving for self-development. He is guided by his own goals and principles, which allow him to remain to a certain extent independent of external factors.
Advantages and disadvantages
The humanistic concept in psychology meets both its followers, who mark its strengths, and is criticized by specialists from various schools.
pros:
- Assigning a person a huge role in the self-management of their own mental health.
- Accounting for external factors in the formation of a person’s personality, rather than a focus on internal qualities.
- The real effect on therapy, as well as health and education.
- Considering as an object of study a healthy person, and not a judgment about a mentally healthy person on the observed deviations in the behavior of others.
Minuses:
- Considering the communication of two people as equals, which in reality is often not confirmed.
- Since healthy people with satisfied basic needs are taken as objects of research, this theory is poorly suited to explain the behavior of people with mental disorders, as well as those in poor social conditions.
- Too much responsibility of a person for their own actions.
Methods
For the study of personality, psychologists use self-reporting techniques, which makes it possible to rely on a person’s experience gained in his life, as well as questionnaires — for example, the questionnaire “Feelings. Reactions Beliefs. ”, Developed by D. Cartwright, as well as self-actualization questionnaire E. Shostroma.
amount methods of working with people exceeds a few dozen. These include the following:
- art therapy - awareness of your own “I” through music, images, as well as in movements;
- visualization - awareness of their own aspirations, desires, as well as true goals by visualizing them;
- Autotraining by I. Schulz - by immersion in yourself and dialogue with your deep-seated “I”;
- eastern technology - meditation, yoga and other practices.
There is also many other techniquesaimed at a person’s awareness of himself.
Therapy and Psychotherapy
Therapists' methods are based on combating the absence of the meaning of the patient’s existence, loneliness, anxiety and the fear of death.
All these negative factors lead to their occurrence. existential pain.
When working as therapists in this area, patients should experience the reality of their own existence, which is obstructed by neuroses, fears, lack of meaning of life and fear of personal freedom.
According to K. Rogers, psychotherapy strategy should include the following steps:
- The client determines for himself the need to contact a specialist for help.
- When the client interacts with the therapist, the reasons for his recourse are clarified.
- The therapist creates an atmosphere that maximizes the client’s self-expression.
- The psychotherapist perceives the client in all its manifestations.
- Confidence is created between the psychotherapist and the client, the latter becomes accustomed to the specialist, his feelings stabilize.
- The true causes that led to the request for help are determined.
- The client realizes the true reasons for his appeal to the psychotherapist.
- With the help of a psychotherapist, the client determines for himself a strategy for further behavior.
- Concrete actions and struggle with a true problem.
- Gaining confidence and self-confidence.
- Achievement by the client of a sense of self-sufficiency and independence, no need for specialist assistance.
Humanistic psychotherapy is suitable for people who have lost their purpose in life, who are disenchanted with their own capabilities, as well as those who want to maximize their potential, to achieve independence and freedom. It is suitable for individuals, as well as for families or couples.
Humanistic psychology, despite criticism, is not only an alternative view to psychoanalysis and behaviorism, fills the gaps allowed in these views, but also has practical meaninghelping a person determine his life goals, gain meaning in life and realize himself as much as possible.
About humanistic psychology in this video:
