Humanistic Theory and Research

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Introduction

Humanistic theory is a psychological perspective towards the ‘self’. According to the theory, people are naturally good and if given freedom, they can be relied upon to make decisions in the right direction. This is means that the person thinks of him/herself as ‘I’ with his/her own perception familiarity. Through this perception, Maslow argues that every one has the liberty to make a choice of his/her behavior and should not be reactors of environmental stimuli nor rein forcers. When dealing with issues of self fulfillment, self esteem and personal needs we should select our own personality. The theory mainly looks at personal development. Maslow is convinced that every individual has certain specific needs which must be fulfilled in hierarchical order from the lowest need of basic wants, to need for security, then need for love and sense of belonging, then need for achievement and finally need for self actualization as the highest in that order.

The view is also associated with Carl Rodgers and Clark Moustakas.

Does this theory lend itself to being applied and how?

The theory lends itself to being applied in the following ways;

Firstly, the theory asserts that a vital aspect of human beings is focused at the present and not the future nor the past. Therefore when counseling, the counselor should seek to establish their clients needs at the present and advise on how they can be fulfilled without necessary looking into the future nor the past (future consequences are ignored).

The theory assumes that healthy people psychologically must be accountable to themselves; whether their actions are wrong or right and the counselor’s role should be guidance on the basis of information and should not take over the decision making role of the client (Ernst S. and Lucy, 1981).

Client’s actions might even be wrong; this should never be taken as a weakness but rather an acknowledgement of humanity and self interest.

The theory’s principles are founded on the basis of human actions aimed at achieving understanding and personal growth.

Is this theory used in other cultures and how does the book relate to Humanistic theory in cultures?

The theory is widely used in other cultures both knowingly and unknowingly across the world. It is popular because it focuses on the principle that basic human goodness and respect for humanity is paramount across most communities of the world. Its foundation in acceptance of individual’s existence as well as existential psychology is widely used to make decisions and raising overall fulfillment in the world (Carlson, 2010).

For example, in the early 1960s, conflict of war versus peace and desire to understand nature of human beings arose. It was during this period that humanistic theorists provided us with understanding for human beings’ desire for war for the sake of tomorrow’s or futures’ peace.

The theory has also been very famous in books with a self-help design as well as human beings’ desire for meaning. For this reason humanistic theory is and will be a principal component of literature, pleasure and entertainment (Elkins, 2009).

How does the book relate to Humanistic theory in cultures?

The book is widely relevant to other Humanistic theory in cultures because it is used to interpret events and phenomena in relationship to human needs in the perspective of self esteem and perception.

Conclusion

Humanistic theory is limited in its inability to falsify itself as well as inability to make predictions in its applications. The theory lacks objective understanding of the universe of which many people of the world know and puts unnecessary emphasize on human experiences.

Reference list

Carlson, Neil R. (2010). Psychology the Science of Behavior. Canada: Pearson Canada.

Elkins, David (2009). Humanistic psychology: A clinical manifesto. Colorado Springs: University of the Rockies Press.

Ernst, S. and Lucy, G. (1981). In our own hands: A book of self help therapy. London: The Women’s Press.

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