Humanistic psychology is a branch of thought within psychology that focuses on the study of people’s subjective experiences , such as their own emotions and thoughts. By understanding how each individual perceives their reality, it seeks to explore the best path for their growth and development.
This psychological and therapeutic approach emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction to the currents of behaviorism and psychoanalysis.
From a humanist perspective, it is pointed out that behaviorist theories (based on scientific objectivism) and psychoanalytic theories (based on the analysis of the subconscious) focus on pathologies, leaving aside multiple complex aspects of human experience.
Thus, psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers argued that such theories did not adequately address the subjective experience and self-realization of the individual. Therefore, they proposed a humanistic psychology, which aimed to provide comprehensive and holistic treatments, that is, studying people as a whole.
The humanistic psychology approach does not negate the studies conducted in other schools of thought. Rather, it attempts to encompass them within a broader understanding of individuals, their context, and the representations they form of their reality.
In this way, it seeks to reconcile knowledge from positive scientific psychology with the philosophical knowledge of earlier times. This means:
“an approach to man and the human experience in its entirety. A scientific and philosophical movement that understands psychology in its dynamic and social dimensions, based on a holistic vision of man, thus rediscovering traditional Western and Eastern forms of knowledge.”
Michel Fourcade
Characteristics of humanistic psychology
- Emphasis on human potential and the capacity for self-actualization : It postulates that all human beings have an innate potential for development. The essential goal of human experience would be to achieve satisfaction through the growth of this potential.
- Focus on the subjective experience of the individual : emphasizes personal experiences and experiences. In this way, it focuses on the uniqueness and capacity of each individual to give meaning to their lives.
- Valuation of individual freedom and responsibility : values personal freedom and emphasizes the importance of responsibility in making decisions that allow people to set a course for their lives.
- Holistic approach : considers the human being as an integrated whole, composed of emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects.
- Importance of the therapeutic relationship : Great importance is placed on the relationship between therapist and client. An environment of empathy and open acceptance is fostered to facilitate personal growth and self-reflection.
- Treats those who come to therapy as clients : This reflects this school’s orientation toward a more collaborative and person-centered therapeutic relationship. The word “client” implies a view of the individual seeking therapy as someone active in their own developmental process.
History of humanistic psychology
Humanistic psychology emerged in the 1950s, when several researchers considered the need to create a third force in the field of psychological therapies and studies. The term “humanistic psychology” began to appear at that time in Abraham Maslow’s publications.
Later, psychologists and progressive thinkers founded the American Association for Humanistic Psychology (1962). Prominent among the group were A. Maslow himself, considered by some to be the father of this movement , although he himself denied this. Other members included Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Karen Horney, and Kurt Goldstein, among others.
Although this was occurring in the United States, many of the positions reflected in the humanistic perspective of psychology had antecedents in the perspectives expressed by authors and psychologists on the European continent.
Among these antecedents were the philosophical considerations of existentialism and phenomenology . In addition, we find “logotherapy,” a proposal by psychologist Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, who affirmed the need for each person to give their own meaning to their desire to live.
Developments of the humanistic psychological current
Client-centered therapy
Humanistic psychology has fostered the development of treatment methods and therapies for patients since the 1960s. One of the most important was ‘nondirective therapy’ or ‘client-centered therapy’, proposed by Carl Rogers.
C. Rogers believed it was essential to have empathy for people in consultations. Only in this way could a fluid communication process between the client and the therapist be established. By accepting people as they were and listening to them attentively, they could ask themselves fundamental questions that would help them better understand themselves and what they wanted.
In this sense, the therapist became a facilitator, rather than a director, of the necessary change for the patient. Thus, they collaborated to help the “client-patient” confront the situations that affected them and manage them satisfactorily.
The theory of human potential development
This theory was strongly promoted by Abraham Maslow, who believed that every person intrinsically desires self-actualization. For Maslow, self-actualization constituted the highest level of the hierarchy of human needs.
Of course, to achieve self-actualization, every person must first satisfy a series of basic needs, such as physiological needs, safety needs, affiliation needs, and recognition needs. These are described in Maslow’s famous pyramid .
This psychologist was interested in studying healthy people, in whom he observed the capacity and need to reach sublime moments, in which the individual found himself in harmony with his being and his environment.
In this way, Maslow’s proposals focused on people achieving feelings of fulfillment through the development of their potential after meeting their basic needs.
You may be interested in Maslow’s Pyramid (theory explained)
The Bugental Manifesto
In 1965, existentialist psychologist James Bugental published his book “The Search for Authenticity […].” This text had a huge impact at the time because it condensed a series of ideas present in third force therapeutic approaches in psychology.
For this reason, the text has been called “The Bugental Manifesto,” in which many find a compendium of humanistic psychology. Bugental presented his design of an existential-humanistic psychology, focused on finding authentic meaning in people’s lives.
Key aspects of this approach are:
- Understanding human beings in a comprehensive way.
- Understand that individuals operate in a human context that is unique to them.
- Knowing that human consciousness is complex and includes one’s own consciousness in a context shared with other people.
- Keep in mind that human beings are free and can choose. Therefore, they must be responsible for their choices.
- Finally, human beings understand the concept of intentionality and purpose. Consequently, they can have aspirations, plan goals, and give meaning to their actions.
Gestalt Therapy
The Gestalt movement originated in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. It proposed the study of human perception through people’s sensory channels, as these are how individuals organize and then interpret information from the world around them.
The relationship between Gestalt and humanistic psychology gained momentum through the proposals of psychiatrist Fritz Perls’s “Gestalt therapy.” Both schools of thought considered patients’ subjective perceptions to be fundamental.
Thus, Fritz Perls’ therapies proposed to help patients by supporting the guidance of their awareness , so that all parts of the person were in harmony and expressed authentically.
Literature
Bugental, James (1964) “The third force in psychology” Journal of Humanistic Psychology. No. 4, 1, pages 19–26.
Fourcade, M. (1982). “Inaugural lecture of the VI European Congress of Humanistic Psychology” Journal of Psychiatry and Humanistic Psychology . No. 3, pp. 293-301.
Riveros, Edgardo (2014) “Humanistic psychology: its origins and its significance in the world of psychotherapy after half a century of existence” Ajayu , Vol. 12; No. 2, pages 135-186.
Villegas, Manuel (1986) “Humanistic psychology: history, concept and method” Psychology Yearbook No. 34, pages 7-46.