Humanistic Phenomenology
Think of humanistic phenomenology as a philosophy and an approach to psychology. It
is the viewpoint of your textbook and your instructor.
There were three main Forces in psychology:
1. Psychoanalytic
2. Behaviorism
3. Humanistic Phenomenology
So what does the term Humanistic Phenomenology really mean?
HUMANISTIC
Human beings have a natural tendency toward actualization (meaning growth and
fulfillment of basic potential).
Human nature is positive. There is nothing inherently negative or evil about us.
Humans basically need and want personal fulfillment and close, intimate
relationships with others.
PHENOMENOLOGY
The individual’s immediate conscious experiences determine reality. If we can
understand these individual perceptions of reality we can understand human
behavior.
Thus, objective reality is not the important determinant of our actions, rather we
act on the basis of how we view that reality.
Consequently, people who see themselves as having little worth and who don’t
trust their own decision-making power are bound to behave differently from
people who feel that they are worthy and who are confident of their ability to
make life choices.
Carl Rogers believed that if a person is open to their inner experiencing (sensations,
feelings, thoughts, etc.) as well as to the external environment, that person will generally
grow and develop in a healthy manner.
Abraham Maslow believed that we are in a state of being and becoming. We never can
really know our full potential until we try it.
