AQA Humanistic Approach 16 Marker Essay

(AO1) State 3 basic assumptions of the Humanistic Approach. 1) Sees people as being active in their own development 2) Self-actualisation is when a person achieves their full potential and represents the uppermost level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. 3) Carl Rogers - In order for personal growth to be achieved, an individual's self-concept has to be similar to/have congruence with their ideal self. (AO1) Explain what it means by people being active in their own development means. Suggests that people have free will. (AO1) Explain how people may self-actualise and it's importance. 1) All levels of the hierarchy must be met in order for the individual to self-actualise. 2) Humanists regard personality growth as an essential part of what it is to be human. (AO1) Explain incongruence and solutions for it. 1) If the two selves are incongruent, self-actualisation is not possible. 2) To reduce the incongruence, client-centred therapy was developed - fixes problems from childhood (e.g. lack of unconditional positive regard and conditions of worth) which leads to incongruence. (AO3) State 2 strengths of the psychodynamic approach. (P) 1) Holistic (not reductionist). 2) Positive Approach. (AO3) Explain why the approach being holistic is a strength. (E+C) E) Don't attempt to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components like behaviourists (explain human and animal learning in terms of stimulus and response). C) More validity by considering meaningful human behaviour within its real-life context. (AO3) Explain why the approach being positive is a strength. (E+C) E) Promotes positive image of the human condition unlike Freud who saw humans as slaves to their past and that we exist somewhere between 'common unhappiness and absolute despair'. C) Offers refreshing and optimistic alternatives - sees people as good and free to work towards their full potential. (AO3) State 2 weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach. (E+C) 1) Limited real life application 2) Cultural Bias (AO3) Explain why the approach having limited real life application is a weakness. (E+C) E) Rogerian therapy revolutionised counselling and Marlow's Hierarchy of Needs explain motivation. C) But limited impact within psychology due to lack of evidence and a set of abstract concepts. (AO3) Explain why the approach being culturally bias is a weakness. (E+C) E) Ideas would mostly apply to individualist cultures in the Western World such as the USA and cannot apply to collectivist cultures such as India (need a group and community) so they may not identify with the ideals and values of humanism. C) Wouldn't travel well and is a product of cultural context as it is ethnocentric and culture bound.