Essay on Humanistic Psychology - 1101 Words

Augustine was a saint and philosopher. Some of Augustine’s thought can be related to the practice of humanistic psychology. My professional focus is the psychotherapy category called Humanistic-Experiential. Humanistic-Experiential therapies are, â€Å"psychotherapies emphasizing personal growth and self-direction† (Butcher, et al, 2006). The humanistic approach places primary importance upon human interests, values, and most importantly the belief in human potentials (Schultz Schultz, 2009, pp297). Augustine’s idea of knowledge and understanding confront human problems of thinking and behavior. Humanistic psychology is able to help address the complexity of happiness and love according to Augustine. Humanistic theories are growth oriented,†¦show more content†¦The highest level of knowledge is the knowledge of God. According to Augustine, happiness is the ultimate goal of human behavior (Stumpf, pp65). We must go beyond just the natural world to the spiritual in order to experience happiness. It is the consequence of our human condition that we seek happiness. We are incomplete as humans separate from God; therefore, can only find happiness in God â€Å"since we were made by him to find it in him† (Stumpf, pp66). Humans search for happiness through love. It is inevitable for people to love because it is a condition of our incompleteness. We can love objects, others, and ourselves. Different human needs prompt different acts of love (Stumpf, pp66). Some of these needs are positive regard, unconditional positive regard, and positive self-regard. Positive regard is given to infants and children from the primary care-giver. Unconditional positive regard occurs when approval is granted regardless of a person’s behavior (Schultz Schultz, pp330). From these needs, stems the reciprocal idea of positive regard. Objects are able to give a limited amount of satisfaction. However, the deep need for human companionship is only met with relationship. Inanimate objects cannot substitute for a human being. The spiritual need should prompt our love of God (Stumpf, pp67). People are made to love God, and God is infinite. Only God can satisfy the precise need for the infinite. Love of these things brings anShow MoreRelatedHumanistic Psychology Essay1421 Words   |  6 PagesClassical Greece and Europe of the Renaissance, when such affirmations were expressed. Humanistic Psychology is a contemporary manifestation of that ongoing commitment. Its message is a response to the denigration of the human spirit that has so often been implied in the image of the person drawn by behavioral and social sciences. Ivan Pavlovs work with the conditioned reflex had given birth to an academic psychology in the United States led by John Watson, which came to be called the science of behaviorRead More Humanistic Psychology Essay1424 Words   |  6 PagesClassical Greece and Europe of the Renaissance, when such affirmations were expressed. Humanistic Psychology is a contemporary manifestation of that ongoing commitment. Its message is a response to the denigration of the human spirit that has so often been implied in the image of the person drawn by behavioral and social sciences. Ivan Pavlovs work with the conditioned reflex had given birth to an academic psychology in the United States led by John Watson, which came to be called quot;the scienceRead MoreHumanistic Psychology Essay1631 Words   |  7 Pagescontributions to psychology, it has influenced the understanding and practices of the humanistic movement, specifically with the therapies for the different mental disorders. Psychoanalysis understands the unconscious behavior, behaviorism focuses on the conditioning process that produces behavior. Humanistic psychology focuses on the persons potential to act as a whole person in a nurturing environment by choice with receiving a positive way of life. The Humanistic Movement and PersonRead MoreThe Values Of Humanistic Psychology767 Words   |  4 Pagesvalues of Humanistic Psychology is its emphasis on human potential for growth. The perspective is hopeful one. It does not mean that humanistic psychologists overlook challenge and darkness in people’s lives (see Hoffman, 2009). I believe that our choice to value individual potential for growth and actualization provides openings for discovering the value(s) of challenges we face in life. Hoffman, E. (2009). Rollo May on Maslow and Rogers: No theory of evil. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 49(4)Read MorePsychodynamic And Humanistic Theories Of Psychology1634 Words   |  7 PagesPsychodynamic and Humanistic Personality Theories The study of the human mind is an interesting topic to discuss about, we have many theorists that have come up with many different ideas or theories, in how to evaluate the mind of humans, two main ways to study the mind in psychology are psychodynamic approach and humanistic approach. Even though these theories are to evaluate human minds they have different views in how the mind works. In psychodynamic approach, the way the mind is viewed is thatRead MorePersonality, Psychology, And Humanistic Approach1362 Words   |  6 Pageshuman being (boundless.com). That is one of many ways of defining personality. When examining personality, there are four main approachable theories including: The Psychodynamic Approach, The Trait Approach, The Social-Cognitive Approach, and The Humanistic Approach. The Psychodynamic Approach was first approach by Sigmund Freud; he dealt with the understanding that personality came from our unconscious state of mind. And that unconscious state interacted to determine our thoughts, behaviors, andRead MoreHumanistic Psychology Essay examples1165 Words   |  5 Pagesbeen increasingly popular from the mid-20th century. In the early 1960s, a movement named third-force psychology started as a reaction to the defect of behaviorism and psychoanalysis to deal fully with the human condition (Hergenhahn, 2008). This third-force movement is humanistic psychology, which refers to the combination of the philosophy of romanticism and existentialism. Humanistic psychology instead paid more attention to each individuals potentials and highlighted the importance of self-actualizationRead MoreOverview of Humanistic Psychology Essay1399 Words   |  6 Pages Humanistic Psychology is a psychological perspective that highlights the study of a person in whole. These psychologist look at human behavior not just through the eyes of the viewer, but also through the eyes of the client that has the behavior. These psychologist believe that an individuals behavior is associated to his or her intimate feelings and their self image. Humanistic psychologist accepts human beings are not just a commodity of the environment. These psychologist study human meaningsRead MoreHumanistic Psychology : Psychology And Psychology1748 Words   |  7 PagesHumanistic Psychology is a psychological sub-field which became prominent in the 20th century as a response to the limitations of the psychoanalytic theory and behaviorism (Cherry, n.d.). The main purpose is to help patients gain a belief that all people are inheritably good. Its roots starts with Socrates and emphasizes an individual’s inherent drive towards self-actualization. Humanistic psychology utilizes a holistic approach to human existence and focuses on things such as creativity, free willRea d MoreHumanistic Psychology And The Other Disciplines Essay1533 Words   |  7 PagesHumanistic psychology was created as a response to the limitations of the two forces already established, psychoanalytic and behaviorist psychology. One of the biggest differences between humanistic psychology and the other disciplines is that it views humanity in a holistic and optimistic manner rather than in fragmentations. One of the most significant and founding theorists of this humanism force was Carl Rogers. His contributions to the field, research on personality, and his psychotherapy techniques