Humanistic Psychology
Abraham Maslow
and Carl Rogers
What is Humanistic
Psychology?
It emphasizes an optimistic view of human
beings, as persons who have the ability to
grow (human potential)
Though it does not deny the effect of the
environment, it sees human beings as able
to transcend it to some degree
It stresses health and actualization
It is a reaction against a deterministic view
of human beings
Humanistic Psychology: the
Third Force
Psychoanalysis has sometimes been
called the "first force" in psychology
Behaviorism was the second force
Both first and second forces are
deterministic in their view of people
Humanistic psychology saw itself as
the third force, stressing human
freedom and human potential
The Human Potential
Movement
Both Maslow and Rogers were part of the "human
potential movement"
Part of the 1960's mindset, emphasizing the
realization of individual potential, was much
more open to spiritual perspectives than classical
psychoanalysis or behaviorism
In addition to individual therapy, this movement
led to the use of encounter groups, team training
etc..
It also fostered a holistic approach to health and
was sympathetic to techniques like massage,
meditation, proper nutrition, exercise etc…
Esalen: the “home” of the
human potential movement
One of the places that became very
important in this movement, due to
the fact that a lot of experimentation
around the human potential
movement took place there is Esalen.
As part of this unit, you will be taking
a virtual fieldtrip there.
Abraham Maslow 19081970
Born in Brooklyn, New York in a Russian Jewish
family, the oldest of 7 children
Had a painful childhood, and especially very poor
mothering. He also experienced much antiSemitism.
Had some college teachers he especially admired:
Ruth Benedict and Max Wertheimer --they are the
inspiration for his concept of "self-actualizing
person.
He sought to attach himself to eminent people and
studied them.
Maslow is known for his
Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow proposed 5 levels of need: from
basic to more advanced, they are:
Physiological (food, water, sex)
Safety (security, order, stability
Belongingness and love
Esteem (from self and others)
Self-actualization
The more basic needs have to be at least
partly satisfied before one can move up.
Self Actualized People (the
top of the hierarchy)
Are in touch with their spirituality (peak
experiences)
Are accurate in their perception of reality
Are comfortable with themselves & others
Are open, direct, spontaneous, independent,
playful, creative
Focus on problems outside themselves, are
concerned w/ society, the world
Need aloneness and privacy
Establish deep intimate relationships
Are non-conformists but highly ethical
Self actualized people are
not perfect
They are, however experiencing a
high level of well being and personal
integration
They are still growing
Do any of the characteristics surprise
you?
What is a peak experience?
A special moment when everything
seems to fall into place
People transcend the self and are at
one with the world
Similar to a religious, or mystical
experience
A transformative experience
A part of the process of selfactualization
Can self-actualization be
measured?
The Personal Orientation Inventory
(Shostrum, 1974) measures selfactualizing characteristics, along with
dimensions like inner-outer orientation,
ability to function in the present etc…
A research article using the POI to look at
the relationship between humanism and
religion can be found in the course Bb
library.
Why doesn’t everyone live
up to his/her potential?
The Jonah complex: fear of growth
because growth may lead to new situations
we would not know how to handle
Psychological and/or spiritual growth
requires courage (in addition to grace)
Here is an interesting blog about the Jonah
complex, from a business perspective.
Carl Rogers 1902-1987
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, fourth of six
children, evangelical background.
As a sophomore in college, went to an
international Christian student conference
in Beijing. Moved away from conservative
Christianity to very liberal beliefs.
Studied at Union Seminary in NY, then
transferred to Columbia to study
psychology
Then worked both in academic and clinical
settings.
According to Carl Rogers
Important issues must be defined by the
individual: importance of an autonomous self:
self-insight is what predicts later behavior.
Actualizing tendency: people tend to develop
in a positive direction, toward selfactualization
The way we perceive our environment
determines how it affects us. (Roger's theory
emphasizes phenomenology)
Incongruence between our self-concept and
our experience leads to pathology
Rogerian Therapy is
Client-Centered Therapy
Necessary conditions from therapist to client:
Unconditional positive regard for the
client
Accurate empathy with the client
Congruence in relations between the
therapist & client, authenticity
In Rogerian therapy, the
client
Moves from talking about externals to
talking about personal issues
Moves from talking about the past to
dealing with the present
Becomes closer to and more
comfortable with his/her feelings
Becomes more open to new
experiences, experiences more
freedom
The Fully Functioning
Person, for Rogers
Is aware of all experiences
Lives in the moment
Trusts in his/her self
Experiences freedom in choices
Is creative and adapts well
Is still growing and experiencing
difficulties
The End