Humanistic Approach

Humanists view behavior as a reflection of internal growth.

Carl Rogers

Humanistic Approach 1. People are good (in their potentials)

2. People have needs

3. If needs are met then they grow to their potential (good)

4. If people act bad, needs are not met

5. Acting bad is an effort to falsely fill a missing need

Rogers’s Self Theory Carl Rogers: primary determiner of behavior is view of self

Self-concept: how one feels and thinks of oneself…our image of what we are, what we should be, and what we would like to be

Factors that can determine self-concept Family environment

Health

Intellectual development

Economic circumstances

Cultural influences

Social interactions

Educational level

Are these internal factors, external factors, or both?

Rogers’s Self Theory Actualization tendency: motivated to maintain and

enhance self (physiologically and psychologically)

Physical development (food and water enhance self)

Psychological development (want to grow as people)

Example: We learn to walk because it’s growth; we may fall and get hurt, but we persist!

Valuing process: evaluate life experiences by how well they serve actualization tendency

Good/desirable experiences = positive value

Bad/undesirable experiences = negative value

Rogers’s Self Theory Positive regard: acceptance, love, approval from others

How does it develop?

Unconditional positive regard: positive regard despite undesirable behavior How do others’ behavior influence this?

Conditional positive regard: positive regard only for desirable behavior How does this develop?

Conditions of worth: internalized judgments on behavior. Initially external then part of belief system. What impact could this have on self-actualization?

Rogers’s Self Theory Incongruence: experience and self-concept don’t match

I love all of humanity . . . I don’t hate anyone

BUT

I really hate THAT person . . .

Gay people are bad

Rednecks are morons

Democrats/Republicans are idiots

Impact on the self What happens if a pleasurable self-experience is evaluated

negatively? Star football player also likes to sing and dance He decides to forgo football to try out for the fall musical His coaches, friends, and parents are very upset with him His girlfriend and best friend both say, “We will support

whatever you want to do.”

IF he has strong self concept, he will Try out for the musical anyway

IF he doesn’t have a strong self concept, he will Go back to football and forget the musical

How could “conditions of worth” influence his decision?

Impact on the self Rewards and punishments drive behavior

What if behavior doesn’t reflect conditions of worth?

Example: I am told by mommy and daddy that I am bad for drawing on the wall.

I like to draw

When I draw on the wall, I’m told I’m bad

Drawing a certain way will determine worth . . . May not be my true self!

Fully Functioning People Psychologically healthy people are open to new

experiences; nothing threatens self-concept because they received unconditional positive regard as kids.

How would you compare this to self-actualization?

Characteristics of Fully Functioning People Awareness of all experience; open to positive and negative

feelings

How would a fully functioning person handle the death of a loved one?

Freshness of appreciation for all experiences …participate rather than observe

How would a fully functioning person react to a flash mob?

Trust one’s own behavior and feelings …trust own reactions rather than guided by opinions of others

How would a fully functioning person handle criticism for having the minority opinion on an issue?

Characteristics of Fully Functioning People Freedom of choice, without inhibitions …sense of power as

future depends on own actions How would a fully functioning person make a decision

knowing others may not approve?

Creativity and spontaneity …do not require predictability, security, or freedom from tension How would a fully functioning person react to a major change

at work or school?

Continual need to grow, strive to maximize potential …no end point, a direction, not a destination How would a fully functioning person handle the pinnacle of

success (earned a doctorate, won the championship, etc.)?

Rogers’ views Believed actualization tendency is internal BUT

process is driven by external, environmental factors

Humans have free will to make choices

How do you see Rogers as being similar or different from Freud?

How do you see Rogers as being similar or different from Maslow?

Rogers’ views Client centered therapy

Clients given unconditional positive regard

No judgments made of behavior

No advice given as to how they should behave

Responsibility for and ability to change behavior belongs to client

DOESN’T mean you allow others to take advantage of you, abuse you, etc.

You protect yourself, but don’t devalue the person

Rogers’ views Unconditional positive regard?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX2tMmVVTiw

What examples of conditional worth and unconditional positive regard do you see? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQyYa3DBhNA

Unconditional positive regard? (need to edit) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtkST5-ZFHw

From the man himself . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjTpEL8acfo

To sum it up . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZwMz-807uE

How would you describe your path toward becoming a fully functioning person? Where do you see yourself

receiving unconditional self worth? Where do you see yourself receiving conditional self worth? What

factors are inhibiting being a fully functioning person?