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Humanistic psychology emphasizes the inherent goodness of humans, personal responsibility, and respect for all individuals. It aims to achieve happiness through personal growth and community involvement. Critics note the lack of standardized therapeutic approaches and its unsuitability for organic mental illnesses. However, its principles have been incorporated into various therapies and can be useful for self-examination and positive personal and social change.
Humanistic psychology theory developed in the 1950s, in part as a response to the abundance of military conflicts that characterized the first half of the 20th century. Its two main proponents, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, published the first research papers on this approach in the 1920s and 1950s. The approach’s core belief is that humans are inherently good, and that faith and respect for humanity are important to mental health.
Alongside this core belief are many other important tenets of this perspective. The first is that the present is more important and more significant than the past or the future. Therefore, it is more helpful to explore what can be done in the here and now, rather than making decisions based on what might happen in the future or constantly dwelling on past experiences.
The second is the idea that each individual must take personal responsibility for their actions or lack of actions. In the humanistic approach, this sense of personal responsibility is crucial to good mental health. The third belief is the idea that everyone is inherently worthy of basic human dignity and respect, regardless of factors such as race, ethnicity, appearance, wealth, or stock.
The goal of the humanistic psychology approach is that by following these basic ideas, happiness can be achieved through personal growth. Both self-understanding and self-improvement are necessary for happiness. Furthermore, understanding that each individual has both a personal and social responsibility fosters not only personal growth, but also community and social involvement.
Abraham Maslow, an early proponent of the theory, believed that these ideas were in direct opposition to Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis. One of the most important beliefs of Freud’s theories is that human drives and desires are subconscious and hidden, whereas for Maslow, humans are consciously aware of the motivations that guide their behavior. In essence, Maslow believed, psychoanalysis accepts that most aspects of life are beyond individual control, whereas the humanistic approach was based on free will.
The humanistic approach has some strengths that make it a particularly useful theory in the modern world. This approach underlines the idea that everyone can contribute to improving their mental and physical health, in the most useful way. Furthermore, these theories take into account environmental factors in the formation of personal experiences. The notion that all human beings have equal rights to respect and dignity is also helpful, as it encourages racial and ethnic tolerance, as well as strengthening the individual’s confidence in their own self-worth.
Critics point out that the humanistic perspective has few standardized therapeutic approaches. This effect is largely the result of the importance of free will, which makes devising standardized treatments extremely complicated. Another problem is that humanist theory is not a suitable treatment for people with organic mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, preventing it from being considered an all-encompassing school of thought.
Despite these criticisms, elements of humanistic psychology have been incorporated into many styles of therapy. The approach, with its emphasis on personal responsibility, social responsibility and social tolerance, makes it a useful basis for positive personal and social change. Thus, while this psychological theory may be inadequate in some respects, it does provide some simple and practical tools for self-examination.
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