Psychology of Music Learning

Miksza

Humanism

HumanismGeneral Characteristics

• Also called ‘Third Force Psychology’– Other two forces… Behaviorism, Psychoanalysis

• Less ‘scientific’ more ‘philosophical’ in development– Theories based on interpretations of personal

experience rather than empirical data/experimentation

• Assumption: People are innately good…• Focus is on personal development and self-

growth

Humanism Background Information

• An attempt to study more ‘fully’ the qualities and complexities of human experience– Behaviorists steered clear of ‘consciousness’

because it could not be studied in a scientific manner– Psychoanalysts assumed consciousness was only a

superficial expression of unconscious

• American Association of Humanistic Psychology, 1961– ‘Buzz words’ - self, self-actualization, health,

creativity, intrinsic nature, being, becoming, individuality, meaning

Figures and Effects…

• Abraham Maslow– Hierarchy of Needs

• Carl Rogers– Person-centered therapy– Psycho-therapy valuable for sick and healthy alike

• More ‘value’ for human condition• Implied different inquiry methods• Implications for approaches to psycho-

therapy

Research…

• To find methods for promoting human dignity through empowering personal choice and restructuring social institutions

• Phenomenological and other qualitative approaches… …biographical analysis…

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Deficiency Needs– Physiological– Safety– Love and Belongingness– Esteem

• Growth Need– Self-Actualization

• Problems with theory in light of science…– Subjectivity, verifiability, simplicity…

Rogers

• The ‘actualizing tendency’– All people/organisms are innately good and strive

to make the most out of their existence

• Elements of ‘Rogerian’ therapy– Reflection– Congruence– Empathy– Respect

Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi• Flow - an experience of optimal fulfillment and engagement

– A perfect balance between ability and challenge• Arts, sports, academics, business, spirituality• From students at the Chicago Art institute - ‘trance-like’ state while

painting, importance of ‘being in the moment’• From interview/self-report data…

– Completely immersed in activity– High concentration– Quick and precise feedback as to how well you are doing– Abilities stretched but not overwhelmed by the opportunities for

action– Loss of sense of self - feeling of being part of something greater

• Humanistic view of evolution– Collective reflection…– Need for flow driving increase of complexity of the world

Parker Palmer

• Humanistic approach towards explaining/understanding teaching– A third-force approach to understanding teaching

– adds the human experience – not just the what, how, why… …but the who also

• Teaching as an act of self-discovery• Teaching as a social profession that does not

cultivate self-actualization• The teacher within…