Humanistic psychology: principles and applications

Humanistic Psychology

THE PERSON AS THE CENTER OF THINGS

Psychologists found that a Third Force filled the void left by earlier approaches to understanding the workings of the human mind in its pursuit of genuine fulfillment and personal happiness. This Third Force centers on the unconditional worth of the individual, which guides him in his journey to optimal self-discovery and self-acceptance. But first, he must meet a hierarchy of needs likewise inherent in his body-soul combination. Meeting these, he reaches self-actualization. The Third Force, or humanist psychology, has achieved widespread acceptance and application to current-day disciplines.

Psychology is one of the youngest sciences, which developed into a formal discipline only in the late 19th century (Kassin, 2009). But its foundation pre-existed in the ancient past when philosophers and religious thinkers pondered over the nature of the mind and the soul. The term "psychology" originated from the Greek words "psyche," which means soul, and "logos," which means study. The term was first used in the 16th century when the human soul, spirit or mind was perceived as distinct from the body. Psychologists endeavor to understand the mysterious operations of human nature. They study why people think, feel and act the way they do. In the pursuit of this task, they investigate a wide range of phenomena. These include learning and memory, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, thinking and language, personality and social behavior, intelligence, infancy and child development and mental illness. They study phenomena from varying perspectives to achieve their goal. They conduct biological studies of the brain, explore how the mind processes information, analyze evolutionary processes and investigate the influence of culture and society (Kassin).

Psychologists in the 50s and the 60s felt that something was missing in the prevalent concept of human nature (Kassin, 2009). Sigmund Freud grabbed much attention to the dark forces of the unconscious mind. On the other hand, Burrhus Frederick Skinner focused on the effects of reinforcement on observable behavior. A third alternative, called "the third force," evolved to fill in the void. It would understand the conscious mind, man's free will and dignity and his capacity for self-reflection and growth. It would be an alternative to Freud's psychoanalysis and Skinner's behaviorism (Kassin).

American psychologists Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow led the humanist movement (Kassin, 2009). Rogers believed that all human beings are born with an innate drive for full capacity and that they behave consistently with their true selves. He developed the person-centered psychotherapeutic approach. It would help patients see themselves clearly and facilitate their own healing process. Maslow, on the other hand, taught that human beings are inherently motivated to fulfill a hierarchy of needs. These are basic physiological needs, needs for safety and security, belonging, love, self-esteem and achievement. Maslow argued that the human person instinctively seeks self-actualization. When he achieves it, he reaches the ultimate state of personal fulfillment wherein he is at peace with himself (Kassin).

Discussion

The Third Force

Humanistic psychology evolved as the adverse reaction to the unacceptability of psychodynamic psychology and behaviorism (Moore, 2001; Katz, 2009). Advocates of the new psychology rejected the psychodynamic view of selfish pursuit as at the base of all human behavior. They also refused the notion that human behavior proceeds from environmental influences, as interpreted by behaviorism. Both concepts placed human behavior at the mercy of outside factors. Humanists argued that human beings possess the innate potential, ability and inclination to fulfill themselves and determine their own destinies. The ultimate goal of humanistic psychology is to help people or patients discover their own potential and achieve it. The two theoretical approaches of the Third Force, or humanistic psychology, are the person-centered approach by Carl Rogers and the self-actualization approach by Abraham Maslow (Moore, Katz).

The Third Force was a departure from the first force psychology, which focused on animals and sick persons to functioning human beings (Cassell & Reiger, 2000). But it drew heavily from the second force, which dealt with neurotic and psychotic patients for methodology. Humanistic psychology puts the individual person at the center of things. It aims at emotional development, improvement of interpersonal relations and enhance self-actualization through a goal-setting and goal-striving process (Cassell & Reiger). The term "the Third Force," was first used by Abraham Maslow in his work, "Toward a Psychology of Being," published in 1962 (Van Wagner 2009). Although the Third Force deviated from the perspectives of the first two schools of thought, all three made separate contributions to the better understanding of the human mind and behavior. The Third Force is different from the first two in that it offers a more holistic perspective of the individual (Van Wagner).

Vital to Psychotherapy

Humanistic psychology was a reprieve at impersonal times of mechanical health care, biochemical and pharmacologic forms of therapy, and computer-generated outputs (Corlis, 2008). It restored attention to the human person. It is of particular benefit to the vulnerable sector, such as the disadvantaged. The typically disadvantaged are the economically deprived ethnic minorities. They are subject to a number of stressors, including poverty, poor housing conditions, culture requirements, unemployment or underemployment, unsanitary or unsafe living conditions, insufficient health care and psychosocial stressors. These psychosocial stressors include alcoholism, domestic violence, and child abuse or neglect (Corlis).

The person-centered approach of human psychology deals squarely and deeply with the present life conditions of the disadvantaged (Corlis, 2008). It enables the disadvantaged patient confront his situation and determine what needs to change and how to do it. It is very likely that he has been subjected to institutional discrimination or indifference in addition to other stressors. Humanistic psychology asserts that, despite this, he or his life is of unconditionally valuable. The therapist shows this by giving the patient undivided attention and constant assurance. The therapist infuses realistic hope into the patient. If the therapy succeeds, the patient develops the capability to formulate realistic and achievable goals to change his life. The therapist may use a teleological or optimistic approach towards the patient's actualization, growth and development. The therapy is essentially an interpersonal relationship between the therapist and the patient. It develops into a "learning laboratory" wherein the therapist is a present and grounded confidant, rather than a black screen or a high-handed mentor. The encounter has to be thoroughly genuine in order to achieve their common goal. Anything less will yield artificial or minimally desirable results. A poor, distressed, traumatized, ethnic and marginalized patient can be guided towards self-actualization only by a genuine, present and focused, as well as available, therapist. He is among the most proper recipients of the therapy (Corlis).

Prime Movers

Carl Rogers suggested that trusting one's experience and believing in oneself are paramount in self-fulfillment (Moore, 2001; Katz, 2009). Failure to do these distorts one's self-view and results in abnormal behavior. His view of himself is not aligned with his ideal. The therapist helps the patient understand and accept himself. The therapist does this by assuring and making the patient feel that he is accepted and that his individual worth is unconditional. Research has shown that the relationship established between therapist and patient is instrumental to the success of therapy. Success level has been so significant that empathy, warmth and acceptance became the "core conditions" or "common factors" in counseling. Psychologists use these conditions or factors in assisting patients to feel and act differently.

Abraham Maslow perceived every human being as innately good and driving towards the fulfillment of their potentials (Moore, 2001; Katz, 2009; Encyclopedia of Psychology,

2001). This is self-actualization. The process, however, goes through stages in the fulfillment of a hierarchy of needs. These needs must be satisfied in their respective stage and sequence for self-actualization to occur. Physical and safety needs must be met before a sense of belonging. When these needs are met, the person may work towards the need for self-esteem and then self-actualization. Maslow believed that it is in fulfilling self-esteem needs that trouble happens and impedes self-actualization. This is also where therapy is needed to correct the patient's inaccurate view of himself. It is aimed at improving, reinstating or installing self-esteem to help him achieve self-actualization (Moore, Katz, Encyclopedia of Psychology).

Research showed mixed reactions to Maslow's theory (Moore, 2001; Katz, 2009).

The findings of one important study did not match the assumption that physiological and safety needs have to be met before self-actualization can occur. The respondents were placed in a stressful situation, which threatened the fulfillment of those needs. Maslow theorized that creativity would be thwarted if these needs were unmet or threatened. But results of this study showed that the respondents became more creative in reacting to their problem of survival (Moore; Katz; Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, 1998).

the Individual and His Intrinsic Goodness

Humanists believe that the present is the most important moment and aspect of the person (Heffner, 2004). He should focus in what is here and now instead of looking back at the past or wondering about what is to come. Their concept is based on reality, not illusions. A psychologically healthy person takes responsibility for his actions, whether negative or positive. The individual has distinct, inherent and unconditional worth. This means that he remains important and acceptable despite his mistakes and imperfections. And person's life is meant to achieve personal growth, self-understanding and understanding of others and the world. Happiness is possible only through self-knowledge, self-understanding and self-acceptance (Heffner).

The lack of research on humanistic psychology can be explained one way by its nature and philosophical and theoretical mechanisms (Moore, 2001; Katz, 2009).

Practitioners stress acceptance of the patient as a person, instead of a critical examination of his behavior. They focus on the uniqueness of his experience rather than dwell on the workings of his behavior. They operate under the "phenomenal perspective," which holds that people are best understood and helped by examining and appreciating their individual and unique experience and aspirations. This personal perspective has also become popular in the field of scientific psychology. A motivation program, called "Personal Power," by Anthony Robbins applies the humanistic psychology's view that a person is responsible for the kind of life he or she chooses to live (Moore, Katz).

The Higher Stage of Human Development

A person who has attained a higher stage of human development undergoes certain noticeable structural personality changes (Hartman & Zimberoff, 2008). Among these are greater abstraction of thought, inclusiveness and self-awareness; integration and adoption of predecessors' levels of development; equilibrium and wisdom. Greater wisdom means that the person is able to integrate with what he learns, internalizes self-processes and merges self with the environment. His ego is able to interpret itself more independently, on long-term, in the abstract and internally. His emotional expressions grow out of an internal perspective more than passing situations. He holds a more positive view of the self and humanity, can connect differences, and has stable awareness of what is here and now. He has developed more adaptive responses to both internal and external stimuli and challenges (Orme-Johnson, 2000 as qtd in Hartman & Zimberoff).

A person who reaches this high stage of human development acquires greater personal fulfillment and becomes more adaptable and efficient in thought and behavior (Hartman & Zimberoff, 2008). Studies provided evidence that such a person has increased learning, perceptual and motor skills. He can absorb more with total attention. Creativity, self-concept, and neurological efficiency rise at higher levels. At the same time, he experiences less stress, depression, introversion and neuroticism. In contrast with the loud and more individualistic ego, that of a person in the high stage of development is quiet, more independent, thinks in the abstract and in internal terms. In that state, his ego never loses its self-identity. Instead, it becomes even stronger as it becomes quieter. It also becomes more resilient more assured (Alexander et al. 1989 as qtd in Hartman & Zimberoff).

A person in this stage of development is described as "fully human (Hartman & Zimberoff, 2008)." He has attained personal freedom to express his deepest essence. He lives spontaneously and can rise to a stage of greatness. He can boast of his creativeness but that creativeness is tempered with a great humility, which has transcended the ego (Hartman & Zimberoff).

The person begins his journey to this high stage by first resolving traumas in the early stages of development (Hartman & Zimberoff, 2008). Traumas are threats or fears encountered by the ego, which prompt the person to make necessary changes to alleviate. Often, these threats translate into an unconscious obsession to meet basic needs, such as safety, approval or self-esteem. These are experienced as a "push" from behind. In comparison, optimal development motivates the person to respond to the innate "pull" to become fully human. It presents a promise of fulfillment in reaching the highest level of selfhood, which transcends the self. It is a stepping into one's greatness and a fulfilling of is own destiny. As the person journeys from trauma resolution in his ascent to higher development, his perspective of himself, culture, environment and the world changes mode. His old and outside perspective -- influenced by family, society, culture, science and religion -- transforms into a perspective from the inside. This inside perspective is characterized by knowing, intuition and mystical experience (Grassie, 2007 as qtd by Hartman & Zimberoff).

Strengths and Weaknesses

Humanistic psychology has been praised for a number of reasons. It emphasizes the role and value of the individual (Van Wagner, 2009). It endows the person with the credit of controlling and determining his own stage of mental health. It gives due consideration to the influence of the environment on human experience. It continues to influence therapy, education, health care and related fields. It likewise helped eliminate the stigma attached to therapy as applicable only to the sick. It is now accepted as applicable to normal and healthy individuals who want to discover their hidden potentials and achieve them through therapy (Van Wagner).

At the same time, it is criticized as too subjective (Van Wagner, 2009). There is no way to objectively measure and determine internal phenomena. The therapist or observer can only rely on the patient's own assessment of his progress. Neither can the phenomena be objectively measured by outside observation (Van Wagner).

The Future of Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology is seen to endure in at least two areas. One is through the persisting and deepening exploration of underlying philosophical foundations of investigation (Warmoth, 1998). These are phenomenological, social constructionist and human system approaches ingrained in the humanistic concept. The other is through the ongoing and increasing collaboration among theorists, researchers, and practitioners who support humanistic values. Their shared commitment with the Association of Humanist Sociology towards humanizing society and its institutions will sustain or perpetuate the concept. Collaboration can fruitfully in three areas. One is a systematic exploration of the connection and relationship among the person, the community and society. Another is in addressing the challenges of decreasing marginality and enhancing diversity. And the third is the development of a concept on deep democracy and its infusion from political into the cultural and economic spheres (Warmoth).