Humanists seek answers about human nature. These humans holding hands show that humans have needs for belonging and love. Humanism Summary Humanists want to know more about the conscious mind and other things unique to humans that behaviorists dismiss as unobservable, and psychoanalysts put aside for the unconscious. Humanists focus on helping people complete themselves according to themselves and meeting their psychological needs.

Ivan Maslow Important People in Humanism Carl Rogers (AD 1950s and 1960s): Rogers everyone wanted to achieve their potential and to be true to themselves. He devised a person-centered therapy in which patients get help finding themselves. Abraham Maslow (AD 1950s and 1960s): Maslow thought that humans had a hierarchy of needs that they sought to fulfill in their lives. At the bottom of the hierarchy are the needs that must be met first, the physical needs (the "basic needs" from grade school.) Next are needs for things like love, security, and safety. The ultimate need is self-actualization, where people meet their standards for themselves.

Philosophical Roots Physiological Roots Pseudoscientific Schools of Thought Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt Behaviorism Humanism Cognitive Psychology's Roots Home

by Steven N. Jacowski, September 20, 2004
Mr. Ward's AP Psychology - 6th
Craig High School