Humanistic psychology is a current of thought that originated in the 1950s as a response to the behavioral and psychoanalytic theories prevailing at the time. It is also known as the Third Force. This perspective arises as a movement that differs from the negative vision that Psychoanalysis had of the human being and with the reductionist vision of the Behavioral perspective. Humanist Psychology focuses on the subjective experience of the individual and its potential for self-realization and transcendence. This means that it is primarily interested in what each human being lives as a unique and unrepeatable individual in a subjective way: for example, Humanist Psychology is not interested in what is socially conceived as mourning. It is interested in what mourning means to you and how you live and transit it. It is interested in the individual and unique experience of being.
Epistemological origins
The epistemological origins of Humanistic Psychology are found in existential philosophy and in the Theory of Self. Existential philosophy is a stream of thought that focuses on the nature of human existence and the search for meaning and authenticity in life. The most influential existential philosophers in Humanistic Psychology are Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger.
Sartre argued that existence precedes essence and that each individual has the responsibility to create his own identity and meaning in life. Heidegger explored the nature of human existence and argued that authenticity and freedom are fundamental to a meaningful life.
The Theory of Self in Psychology was also an important precursor of Humanistic Psychology. The Theory of Self focuses on the subjective experience of the individual and how it influences his behavior and perception of the world. Carl Rogers, one of the founders of humanistic psychology, was influenced by the Theory of Self by developing his client-centered therapy theory.
History and maximum exponents
The history of Humanist Psychology is closely linked to the figure of Abraham Maslow, who is considered one of its founders. Maslow developed the hierarchy theory of needs, which states that humans have a number of basic needs that must be satisfied before they can reach their full potential. In turn, he argued that the need to find meaning and purpose in life is one of the highest human needs.
Another founder of Humanistic Psychology is Carl Rogers, who developed the theory of client-centered therapy. Client-centered therapy emphasizes the importance of empathy, authenticity and unconditional acceptance of the therapist towards the patient. This therapy focuses on human potential and the individual’s ability to self-realize and transcend. According to Rogers, our nature is mutable, which implies that we should not focus solely on having a life free of difficulties and setbacks. Instead, we must accept that changes are a constant and therefore adapt to them in the best possible way. This idea is reflected in one of Rogers' most important sentences, which emphasizes the importance of accepting changes and adapting to them effectively:
"I realize that if I were stable, prudent and static; I'd live in death. Therefore I accept confusion, uncertainty, fear and emotional ups and downs; because that's the price I'm willing to pay for a fluid, perplexed and exciting life."
Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist and philosopher, born in Vienna in 1905, who made important contributions to Humanistic Psychology. Frankl is known for his theory of Logotherapy, which focuses on the meaning of life and the importance of finding a purpose in human existence. During World War II, Frankl was deported to several Nazi concentration camps, where he experienced first-hand the cruelty and suffering brought about by the Third Reich. It was in these fields that he began to develop his theory of Logotherapy, which is based on the idea that man has an innate need to find meaning in his life, even in the most adverse situations. Frankl believed that this search for meaning was the key to overcoming suffering and finding happiness and personal fulfillment. His work "Man in search of meaning" has become a classic of psychological literature and has inspired generations of therapists and patients around the world.
Fundamental principles
Humanist psychology considers that man is not limited by his instincts or by the influence of the environment, unlike the psychoanalytic and behavioral perspective. According to humanists, the human being is free and self-determined, and his behavior and worldview are highly subjective, which is crucial in therapy. In this current it is considered that the individual is essentially good and develops through his desire for self-realization, what is known as a formative tendency. Humanists also stress the importance of accepting the individual as he or she is, and emphasize the subjectivity and the human view of the world as central aspects of their work. In fact, humanist psychology deals with subjectivity and is concerned with the well-being of man when he cannot be himself and develop his full potential.
Humanistic Psychology always takes into account:
Interest in the subjective experience of the client (patient), not social conceptions.
Respect for the client’s cultural values and freedom of expression.
Building a positive therapeutic relationship.
Clarify the role of the therapist, without interfering in the client’s self-determination.
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