Humanistic psychology: Difference between revisions
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Humanistic psychology typically prefers qualitative research methods to the more "positivist" and "empiricist" approaches. This is part of the field's "human science" approach to psychology and involves an emphasis on the actual experience of persons.<ref name="aanstoos et al history" /> The discipline stresses a [[Phenomenology (psychology)|phenomenological]] view of human experience, seeking to understand the lived world of humans. In particular, the [[Phenomenology (psychology)|phenomenological]] approach refrains from applying presuppositions to the subject matter and allows the experience to speak for itself via its own internal intelligibility. |
Humanistic psychology typically prefers qualitative research methods to the more "positivist" and "empiricist" approaches. This is part of the field's "human science" approach to psychology and involves an emphasis on the actual experience of persons.<ref name="aanstoos et al history" /> The discipline stresses a [[Phenomenology (psychology)|phenomenological]] view of human experience, seeking to understand the lived world of humans. In particular, the [[Phenomenology (psychology)|phenomenological]] approach refrains from applying presuppositions to the subject matter and allows the experience to speak for itself via its own internal intelligibility. |
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A human science view is not opposed to quantitative methods, but, following [[Edmund Husserl|Husserl]], 1) favors letting the methods be derived from the subject matter and not uncritically adopting the methods of natural science, and 2) advocates for methodological pluralism. Consequently, much of the subject matter of psychology lends itself to qualitative approaches (e.g., the lived experience of grief) , and quantitative methods are appropriate for things which can be counted without leveling the phenomena (e.g., the length of time spent crying). |
A human science view is not opposed to quantitative methods, but, following [[Edmund Husserl|Husserl]], 1) favors letting the methods be derived from the subject matter and not uncritically adopting the methods of natural science <ref name = "" /> , and 2) advocates for methodological pluralism. Consequently, much of the subject matter of psychology lends itself to qualitative approaches (e.g., the lived experience of grief) , and quantitative methods are appropriate for things which can be counted without leveling the phenomena (e.g., the length of time spent crying). |
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==Counseling and therapy == |
==Counseling and therapy == |
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Revision as of 12:51, 21 August 2010
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Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective which rose to prominence in 1960s drawing on existentialist thought coupled with phenomenology and an emphasis on the importance of personal responsibility, free will, and self-actualization.[1]
Conceptual origins
The humanistic approach has its roots in existentialist thought (see Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre). It is also sometimes understood within the context of the three different forces of psychology: behaviorism, psychoanalysis and humanism. Behaviorism grew out of Ivan Pavlov's work with the conditioned reflex, and laid the foundations for academic psychology in the United States associated with the names of John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner. This school was later called the science of behavior. Abraham Maslow later gave behaviorism the name "the second force". The "first force" came out of Freud's research of psychoanalysis, and the psychologies of Alfred Adler, Erik Erikson, Carl Jung, Erich Fromm, Karen Horney, Otto Rank, Melanie Klein, Harry Stack Sullivan, and others. These theorists focused on the depth of the human psyche, which, they stressed, must be combined with those of the conscious mind in order to produce a healthy human personality.
In the late 1950s, psychologists concerned with advancing a more holistic vision of psychology convened two meetings in Detroit, Michigan. These psychologists, including Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Clark Moustakas, were interested in founding a professional association dedicated to a psychology that focused on uniquely human issues, such as the self, self-actualization, health, hope, love, creativity, nature, being, becoming, individuality, and meaning—that is, the understanding of "the personal nature of the human experience".
Development of the field
These preliminary meetings eventually led to other developments, which culminated in the description of humanistic psychology as a recognizable "third force" in psychology (along with behaviorism and psychoanalysis). Significant developments included the formation of the Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP) in 1961 and the launch of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology (originally "The Phoenix") in 1963.
Subsequently, graduate programs in Humanistic Psychology at institutions of higher learning grew in number and enrollment. In 1971, humanistic psychology as a field was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) and granted its own division (Division 32) within the APA. Division 32 publishes its own academic journal called The Humanistic Psychologist.[2]
The major theorists considered to have prepared the ground for Humanistic Psychology are Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May. Maslow was heavily influenced by Kurt Goldstein during their years together at Brandeis University. The work of Wilhelm Reich, who postulated an essentially 'good', healthy core self, in contrast to Freud, was an early influence, especially his Character Analysis (1933). Carl Gustav Jung contrasted with his theory of the collective unconscious. Other noteworthy inspirers and leaders of the movement include Roberto Assagioli, Gordon Allport, Medard Boss, Martin Buber (close to Jacob L. Moreno), James Bugental, Erich Fromm, Hans-Werner Gessmann, Kurt Goldstein, R. D. Laing, Clark Moustakas, Lewis Mumford, Fritz Perls and Anthony Sutich.[2]
Epistemology
Humanistic psychology typically prefers qualitative research methods to the more "positivist" and "empiricist" approaches. This is part of the field's "human science" approach to psychology and involves an emphasis on the actual experience of persons.[2] The discipline stresses a phenomenological view of human experience, seeking to understand the lived world of humans. In particular, the phenomenological approach refrains from applying presuppositions to the subject matter and allows the experience to speak for itself via its own internal intelligibility.
A human science view is not opposed to quantitative methods, but, following Husserl, 1) favors letting the methods be derived from the subject matter and not uncritically adopting the methods of natural science Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name (see the help page). , and 2) advocates for methodological pluralism. Consequently, much of the subject matter of psychology lends itself to qualitative approaches (e.g., the lived experience of grief) , and quantitative methods are appropriate for things which can be counted without leveling the phenomena (e.g., the length of time spent crying).
Counseling and therapy
Humanistic psychology includes several approaches to counseling and therapy. Among the earliest approaches we find the developmental theory of Abraham Maslow, emphazising a hierarchy of needs and motivations; the existential psychology of Rollo May acknowledging human choice and the tragic aspects of human existence; and the person-centered or client-centered therapy of Carl Rogers, which is centered on the clients' capacity for self-direction and understanding of his/her own development.[3]
Other approaches to humanistic counseling and therapy include Gestalt therapy, humanistic psychotherapy, depth therapy, holistic health, encounter groups, sensitivity training, marital and family therapies, body work, and the existential psychotherapy of Medard Boss.[2] Existential-integrative psychotherapy, developed by Kirk Schneider (2008), is a relatively new development within humanistic and existential therapy.
Self-help is also included in humanistic psychology: Sheila Ernst and Lucy Goodison have described using some of the main humanistic approaches in self-help groups.[4][citation needed] Co-counselling, which is a purely self-help approach, is regarded as coming within humanistic psychology (see John Rowan's Guide to Humanistic Psychology). Humanistic theory has had a strong influence on other forms of popular therapy, including Harvey Jackins' Re-evaluation Counselling and the work of Carl Rogers.
Humanistic psychology tends to look beyond the medical model of psychology in order to open up a nonpathologizing view of the person.[3] This usually implies that the therapist downplays the pathological aspects of a person's life in favour of the healthy aspects. A key ingredient in this approach is the meeting between therapist and client and the possibilities for dialogue. The aim of much humanistic therapy is to help the client approach a stronger and more healthy sense of self, also called self-actualization.[5] All this is part of humanistic psychology's motivation to be a science of human experience, focusing on the actual lived experience of persons.[2]
Criticism
Critics of the field point out that it tends to ignore social change research. Isaac Prilleltensky, a self-described radical who champions community and feminist psychology, has argued for years that humanistic psychology inadvertently contributes to systemic injustice.[6]
Further, it has been noted that the early incarnations of humanistic psychology lacked a cumulative empirical base,[7] and the architects of the movement endorsed an "unembarrassed denial of human reciprocity and community."[8] However, according to mainstream humanistic thinkers, humanistic psychology need not be understood to promote such ideas as narcissism, egotism, or selfishness.[9]
The association of humanistic discourse with narcissistic and overly optimistic worldviews is a misreading of humanistic theory. In their response to Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi (2000), Bohart & Greening (2001) note that along with pieces on self-actualization and individual fulfillment, humanistic psychologists have also published papers on a wide range of social issues and topics, such as the promotion of international peace and understanding, awareness of the holocaust, the reduction of violence, and the promotion of social welfare and justice for all.
See also
External links
Association for Humanistic Psychology
Notes
- ^ "humanistic psychology n." A Dictionary of Psychology. Edited by Andrew M. Colman. Oxford University Press 2009. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 25 May 2010 [1]
- ^ a b c d e Aanstoos, Serlin & Greening 2000.
- ^ a b Clay 2002.
- ^ Ernst & Goodison 1981.
- ^ Aanstoos, Serlin & Greening 2000; Clay 2002.
- ^ See for instance Prilleltensky 1992.
- ^ Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi 2000.
- ^ Marin 1975, pp. 45–46.
- ^ Bohart & Greening 2001.
Bibliography
- Aanstoos, C.; Serlin, I.; Greening, Thomas (2000). "History of Division 32 (Humanistic Psychology) of the American Psychological Association". In Dewsbury, Donald A. (ed.). Unification through Division: Histories of the divisions of the American Psychological Association, Vol. V (PDF). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Bohart, Arthur C.; Greening, Thomas (January 2001). "Comment: Humanistic Psychology and Positive Psychology". American Psychologist. 56 (1): 81–82. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.56.1.81.
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Bugental, J.F.T (1964). "The Third Force in Psychology". Journal of Humanistic Psychology. 4 (1): 19–25. doi:10.1177/002216786400400102.
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Clay, Rebecca A. (September 2002). "A renaissance for humanistic psychology. The field explores new niches while building on its past". American Psychological Association Monitor. 33 (8).
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Ernst, Sheila; Goodison, Lucy (1981). In Our Own Hands, A Book of Self Help Therapy. London: The Women's Press. ISBN 0704338416.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Giorgi, Amedeo (2009). The Descriptive Phenomenological Method in Psychology: A Modified Husserlian Approach. Pittsburgh: Duquesne University Press. ISBN 9780820704180.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Marin, Peter (October 1975). "The New Narcissism". Harper's Magazine: 45–56.
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Prilleltensky, Isaac (Autumn 1992). "Humanistic Psychology, Human Welfare and the Social Order". The Journal of Mind and Behaviour. 13 (4): 315–327.
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Rowan, John (2001). Ordinary Ecstasy: The Dialectics of Humanistic Psychology (5th ed.). Brunner-Routledge. ISBN 0415236339.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Seligman, Martin; Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly (January 2000). "Positive psychology: An introduction". American Psychologist. 55 (1): 5–14. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5.
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Schneider, K.J.; Bugental, J.F.T.; Pierson, J.F., eds. (2001). The handbook of humanistic psychology : leading edges in theory, research, and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 0761921214.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Schneider, K.J., ed. (2007). Existential-integrative Psychotherapy: Guideposts to the Core of Practice. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9780415954716.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)