Concept

Humanistic psychology

Overview

Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective that arose in the early- to mid-20th century in response to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory and B. F. Skinner's behaviorism. The work of Otto Rank and Carl Rogers centered the individual more in therapy. Abraham Maslow built on their work establishing a "third force" in psychology in the 1950s.

Some elements of humanistic psychology are:

to understand people, ourselves and others holistically (as wholes greater than the sums of their parts)

to acknowledge the relevance and significance of the full life history of an individual

to acknowledge the importance of intentionality in human existence

to recognize the importance of an end goal of life for a healthy person

Humanistic psychology also acknowledges spiritual aspiration as an integral part of the psyche. It is linked to the emerging field of transpersonal psychology.

Primarily, humanistic therapy encourages a self-awareness and reflexivity that helps the client change their state of mind and behavior from one set of reactions to a healthier one with more productive and thoughtful actions. Essentially, this approach allows the merging of mindfulness and behavioral therapy, with positive social support.

In an article from the Association for Humanistic Psychology, the benefits of humanistic therapy are described as having a "crucial opportunity to lead our troubled culture back to its own healthy path. More than any other therapy, Humanistic-Existential therapy models democracy. It imposes ideologies of others upon the client less than other therapeutic practices. Freedom to choose is maximized. We validate our clients' human potential."

Its principal professional organizations in the US are the Association for Humanistic Psychology and the Society for Humanistic Psychology (Division 32 of the American Psychological Association). In Britain, there is the UK Association for Humanistic Psychology Practitioners.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

Possible passages

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Those precepts which are called moral are in reality directed against individuals, and do not by any means make for the happiness of such individuals. The relationship of these precepts to the "happiness and well-being of mankind" is equally slight, for it is quite impossible to assign a definite conception to these words, and still less can they be employed as guiding stars on the dark sea of moral aspirations. It…
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, The Dawn of Day
States what Humanistic psychology is; the author is tied to Humanistic psychology in the knowledge graph.
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I mean _mechanical activity_. It is indisputable that a suffering existence can be thereby considerably alleviated. This fact is called to-day by the somewhat ignoble title of the "Blessing of work." The alleviation consists in the attention of the sufferer being absolutely diverted from suffering, in the incessant monopoly of the consciousness by action, so that consequently there is little room left for…
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.
States what Humanistic psychology is; the author is tied to Humanistic psychology in the knowledge graph.
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Let this stand as a first brief indication of the humanistic position. Does it seem paradoxical? If so, I will try to make it plausible by a few illustrations, which will lead to a fuller acquaintance with the subject. In many familiar objects everyone will recognize the human element.
William James, Pragmatism
Close in meaning to Humanistic psychology; the term itself is not named.
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Philosophers who discussed Humanistic psychology

Viktor Frankl

Related ideas

Place in the tradition

Part of Danish philosophy.

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