Humanistic Psychology Overview

Humanistic Psychology

• Humanistic psychology emerged as a response to behaviorism and psychoanalysis, rejecting the views that behavior is solely driven by rewards, punishments, or sexual motivations.
• Emphasizes the healthy development of human potential, known as self-actualization.
• Key characteristics include:
  • Focus on higher functions, improvement, and goal achievement after meeting basic needs.
  • Active engagement: humans are seen as creators of their own experiences rather than passive responders.
  • Positive view of human nature: belief in free will and the intrinsic goodness of people.
  • Self-actualization as a fundamental psychological need, aiming for life enhancement and personal fulfillment.
• Studying humanism is valuable due to its cultural impact, influence on counseling techniques, and its role as a precursor to positive psychology.

Maslow's Self-Actualization

• Defined as self-fulfillment and achieving one’s fullest potential.
• Hierarchy of needs includes:
  • Physiological: basic survival requirements (food, water, shelter).
  • Safety: the need for security and protection from harm.
  • Belonging: social relationships and connection with others.
  • Esteem: self-respect and recognition from others.
• Distinction between deficit motives (first four needs) aimed at reducing tension versus growth motives (self-actualization) focused on personal development.
• Includes aesthetic needs (appreciation of beauty) and cognitive needs (desire to learn and solve problems) as part of the hierarchy.
• Other potential ultimate needs identified include reproductive goals, the search for meaning, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Peak experiences are profound moments characterized by joy, control, and awe; more frequent in self-actualized individuals.
• Modern research critiques Maslow’s hierarchy, suggesting a simplified two-tiered model for personal growth.

Rogers' Self-Actualizing Tendency

• According to Rogers, self-actualization involves following one's inner guidance toward authenticity and fulfillment.
• Components of Rogers’ theory:
  • Organismic Valuing Process: internal mechanism to assess experiences based on their growth-enhancing properties.
  • Unconditional Positive Regard: acceptance without conditions to foster self-acceptance and positive self-regard.
  • Conditions of Worth: perceptions that affect self-esteem based on external validation.
  • Congruent Self-Concept: alignment between self-perception and personal beliefs.
• A fully functioning individual is open to experiences, trusts their inner guidance, and acts authentically.

Humanistic Approach to Psychotherapy

• Emphasizes a non-directive approach where therapists facilitate self-exploration rather than imposing solutions.

Criticism of Humanistic Theories

• Critiqued for its overly idealistic views and potential for selfishness.
• Concerns about the vague constructs lacking empirical support.
• Issues related to the concept of evil and human capacity for harm.

Positive Psychology

• Shifts focus from mental illness to fostering strengths and enhancing well-being.
• Personal strengths (wisdom, courage, justice, etc.) promote growth and prevent psychological issues.
• Optimism correlates with better health outcomes and effective coping strategies.
• Eudaimonic well-being focuses on purpose and meaning beyond hedonistic pleasure.

Factors Influencing Happiness

• Global positivity: more happy people than unhappy, although stressors impact happiness levels.
• American satisfaction: 83% report above-average happiness scores.
• Money's limited role: while wealthier nations report higher happiness, income above $100,000 has diminishing returns on happiness.

Essential Components of Well-Being

• Well-being is a theoretical construct comprising interconnected elements.
• PERMA model:
  • P: Positive emotions
  • E: Engagement
  • R: Relationships
  • M: Meaning
  • A: Achievement
• Positive relationships are crucial for overall happiness.

Enhancing Happiness

• Happiness is shaped by genetics, life experiences, and individual choices, signifying opportunities for personal growth.
• Pleasure is linked to various brain areas, termed "hedonic hotspots," indicating complexity in its neural basis.

Dopamine

• Known as the "motivation" neurotransmitter; involved in pleasure but crucial for motivation.
• Functions include regulating movement, emotion, memory, and body systems.
• Low dopamine levels lead to lack of motivation and poor coordination; excess leads to aggression and addiction.
• Dopamine enhances motivation by reinforcing behaviors associated with rewards and generating anticipation for rewarding experiences.
• Research shows ADHD medications can enhance motivation by emphasizing task rewards.

Dopamine Detox Misconceptions

• Incorrect to claim that dopamine can be “detoxed”; it remains in the system, and its presence influences behavior.

Explore the key concepts and characteristics of humanistic psychology in this quiz. Understand how it diverges from behaviorist and Freudian perspectives, emphasizing healthy human potential and self-actualization. Test your knowledge of this influential psychological approach.