The Humanistic Approach

The humanistic approach emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a reaction against both behaviourism and psychoanalysis. It is often called the "third force" in psychology. Humanistic psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers rejected the deterministic, scientific approaches and instead emphasised free will, personal growth, and the uniquely human capacity for self-actualisation.

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Key Assumptions

1. Humans have free will — they are not determined by biology (as the biological approach claims) or by the environment (as behaviourism claims) or by the unconscious (as the psychodynamic approach claims).
2. Every person is unique — psychology should study the subjective, personal experience of the individual (an idiographic approach).
3. Humans are inherently good and motivated towards personal growth and fulfilment.
4. Psychology should focus on the whole person (a holistic approach) rather than reducing behaviour to component parts.
5. People are motivated to achieve their full potential — self-actualisation.

Key Definition: Humanistic approach — the approach that emphasises free will, personal growth, and self-actualisation. It focuses on the individual's subjective experience and views people as inherently good and motivated to fulfil their potential.

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Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (1943)