The humanistic approach focuses and looks at human experience and behaviour from the viewpoint of the individual. The idea of free will and the belief that we are able to make choices is linked to the humanistic perspective. Two main psychologists of this approach are Abraham Maslow, who focused on self-actualisation and Carl Rogers who focused on the concept of self.
A psychologist named Abraham Maslow believed that we are all seeking to become the best that we can be – spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually. He called this self-actualisation. He believed that we are all born with a yearning to become the best we can be. However, in order to be the best we can possibly be, we have to pass through other stages.
The hierarchy
A psychologist named Abraham Maslow believed that we are all seeking to become the best that we can be – spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually. He called this self-actualisation. He believed that we are all born with a yearning to become the best we can be. However, in order to be the best we can possibly be, we have to pass through other stages.
The hierarchy