Third force movement. Leading psychologists in third-force psychology development - Essay Example

? Third force Third force movement Introduction According to Grogan (2008), Third force or humanistic psychology is based on the study of the whole person and studies people as individuals. Why the name third force? Third force or humanistic psychology is referred to as third force because it came third after other two approaches that are behaviouristic and psychoanalytic approaches (Tennant, 2006). There was a strong desire to develop an approach that considered the individual as a whole and internal self through a measurable and structured design that emphasises the individual values and experiences (Nicholas, 2008). Third force opposes behaviouristic and psychoanalysis approach to study of psychology. Bernstein (2011) asserts that psychoanalysis studies the unconscious motivations that influence human behaviour while behaviourist psychology focuses on observable behaviours that occur through either classical conditioning or operant conditioning. The early approaches to psychology failed to account for the free will, moods, feelings and conscious learning that occur in human beings. This field of psychology gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s and offered expanded horizons on the study of human behaviour and more effective methods in practice of psychotherapy (Nicholas, 2008). Humanistic psychology offers new set of values for approaching human nature and human conditions that influence interactions in the society. Some basic characteristics of humanism include the non-mechanistic view of human beings, the rejection of determinism, acceptance of conscious human behaviour and holistic adaptive status of human behavioural actions (Bernstein, 2011). Humanistic psychology is geared at attaining self-actualisation, development of meaningful relationships, attainment of self-awareness and acceptance of inner feelings of an individual. The approach can be termed as a ‘common-sense psychology’ that fosters creativity, advancement of ideal self and achievement of person’s goals (Kalat, 2011). By the mid-20th century, only behaviorism and psychoanalysis approaches remained influential since movements like structuralism and functionalism has lost their distinctiveness. Psychoanalysis and behaviourism approaches had some shortcomings that led a group of psychologists like Abraham Maslow and others to start the third-force psychology that combines philosophy of existentialism and romanticism (Bernstein, 2011). Humanism recognises the value of human beings and their potential since it emphasises the belief of wholeness and free will. Third-force psychology is based on the assumptions that human being cannot be reduced to components and supersede the sum of their parts and they exist in a uniquely human context as well in cosmic (Rowan, 1998).). Human beings are self-aware in the context of other people and make conscious choices. Accordingly, human beings are capable of making intentional aims, goals and seeking value. This approach to psychology appreciates individual’s potential and importance of personal growth that leads to self-actualisation (Rowan, 1998). For instance, Abraham Maslow advanced the idea of hierarchy of needs in 1943 in his motivation theory while Carl Rogers published the client-centered therapy in 1951 that takes care of the unique needs of the client (Kalat, 2011). Humanistic psychology entails several approaches of counseling such as hierarchy of needs of Abraham Maslow and existential psychology developed by Rollo May. Rollo May acknowledged the need of human choice while Carl Rogers developed the person-centered therapy approach that considers the client’s need for self-development and self-direction (Bernstein, 2011). One of the core strengths of humanistic psychology is its appreciation of role of individuals I controlling their conscience and credits the environment for its influences on internal desires and thoughts of human beings (Kalat, 2011)). The psychology is applicable in several fields of study such as healthcare, education and therapy thus making it critical in solving societal problems (Nicholas, 2008). Humanistic psychology shifted the focus of behaviour to whole person rather than making unconscious observations of behaviour and acknowledged individual’s ideas such as need for self-fulfillment. Leading psychologists in third-force psychology development Abraham Maslow Abraham Maslow (1943) wanted to understand what motivate individual behaviour and developed the theory of hierarchy of needs. He was convinced that individuals have set of motivation that is independent of the unconscious desires and rewards (Kalat, 2011). Maslow focused on positive accounts of behaviour and human potential that makes individuals seek self-fulfillment and change through continuous personal growth and development. He first introduced the theory of human motivation in 1943 paper on human motivation and later in his work on motivation and personality (Baucum, 2006). Maslow outlined five levels of in the hierarchy of human needs that entail physiological needs, safety needs, and growth needs. Maslow acknowledged the inborn needs and explained how human beings satisfy their needs through starting with the lower level needs until to the higher-order needs that entail self-actualisation (Rowan, 1998). Maslow used biographical analysis in order to determine characteristics of self-actualised individuals such as Abraham Lincoln and leading psychologists. His model of hierarchy of needs was highly published between 1943 - 1954 and included the five levels of needs that start with physiological or biological needs, safety needs, belongingness needs, esteem needs and finally self-actualisation needs (Rowan, 1998). The physiological or biological needs are inborn and are basic for the survival of human beings. The biological needs include drink, shelter and food (Kalat, 2011)). The second level of human needs is the safety needs that include the desire for protection and safety from danger and include the desire for healthcare, stable employment and safe neighborhoods. The third level entails the social or belongingness needs that bring love and affection to an individual (Baucum, 2006). Examples of social needs include meaningful friendships, belonging to a religious group and romantic attachments. After satisfying the social needs, an individual will seek to satisfy the next hierarchy of the needs that include esteem needs. Seeman (2008) points out that esteem needs include the desire for accomplishments, personal growth and recognition in the society or workplace. The final level or the highest need is the self-actualisation needs whereby humans are interested in fulfilling their full potential and are self-aware. The individual will seek personal growth opportunities and aim at self-fulfillment in order to attain self-actualisation. In 1970s, Maslow’s theory was adapted include cognitive and aesthetic needs. Human beings desire knowledge and meaning and will pursue aesthetic needs such as need for form and beauty in seeking personal fulfillment and realizing individual’s potential (Seeman, 2008). Maslow’s theory is valid in understanding human needs and personal development since it entails self-awareness and objective judgment. Some characteristics of self-actualisation include reliance on personal experiences, acceptance of others, accepting challenging situations, creativeness and seeking peek experiences that lead to lasting impressive personal experiences. Self-actualisers will tolerate uncertainty, have sense of humor, implement creative ways to problem-solving, remain concerned about humanity and desire individual privacy (Seeman, 2008). Carl Ransom Rogers (1902- 1987) Rogers agreed with the work of Abraham Maslow, but pointed out that the environment provides human with self-disclosure and openness in order to attain personal growth. Carl Roger is one of the founders of humanistic psychology and founding father of psychotherapy research and contributed to the development of the field through his research and work on client-centered approach to psychology (Totton, 2010). Rogers studied the influence of the environment on personality and formation of self-concept. He rejected behaviorism and psychoanalysis approaches and believed human beings have a tendency to self-actualise in order to attain the ‘ideal self’. Totton (2010) asserts that psychoanalysis focused unconscious human impulses while behaviorists focused purely on the environment while Carl Roger strongly demonstrated that self-determination and free will leads to self-actualisation in order to attain the ideal self. Roger’s theory proposed that human beings exist in a continuous changing world with new experiences and individuals react to experiences as a whole (Neid, 2009). A total of the perceptual field gradually becomes self and structure of self changes as individuals interact with the environment. Accordingly, being treated with empathy influences self-concept and individuals with positive self-concept perceive the world in a positive manner than those with a negative self-concept. Negative self-concept is associated with unhappiness, dissatisfaction, alienation and disappointments. Roger asserted that the best perspective of understanding behaviour is looking at the internal frame of the individual and all behaviours are goal-directed since experiences that are inconsistent with self are perceived as threats (Neid, 2009). According to Roger, climatic conditions that promote human growth include genuineness and being open with one’s experiences, accepting by providing unconditional positive regard and empathetic or sharing our feelings and later reflecting on the meanings. Self-concept is composed of perceptions regarding oneself and conditional and unconditional positive regard is critical in development of self-concept. The real self promotes self-actualisation tendencies and defensive individuals are not open to new experiences thus will keep on protecting their self-concept (Neid, 2009). Some characteristics of fully functioning individuals include openness to both negative and positive emotions, trusting feelings and creativity. Accordingly, the individual must be capable of avoiding preconceptions and lead a fulfilled life through seeking new challenges. According to the humanistic approach, the self is composed of self-worth, self-image and ideal self and influences the positive regard from others thus contributing to self-actualisation. Individuals must be in congruent to their self-image in order to attain ideal self (Glassman & Hadad, 2009). Roger contributed to the practice of humanistic psychology through his client-centered therapy that affirms that personal experiences are the basis of standards of living and therapeutic effect. His model of person-centered therapy identifies six conditions that form the basis of personality changes to clients, reduction of anxiety and formation of meaningful relationships during therapy (Neid, 2009). The approach enables the client to progress further towards personal growth and maturation through aid of psychologically favoured environment. The first guiding condition is the therapist-client psychological contract that forms the perceptions of each other and basis of the relationship between the client and therapist. The second core condition is the client in-congruence that entails client’s awareness of personal experiences while the third core condition is the genuineness or therapist congruence that entails therapist’s self-disclosure in order to enable the client to draw some experiences from the therapist. The fourth core condition is the therapist’s empathetic understanding of the internal frame of reference of the client and finally the client’s perception towards the therapeutic counseling (Neid, 2009). A therapist must have congruence, empathy and unconditioned positive regard in order to listen to the client without disruptions, appreciate the client’s views towards the problem and at the same time convey disapproving feelings during therapeutic sessions. Roger’s humanistic psychology was extended to education sector since learner’s will concentrate on those things they perceive as important in enhancement of the structure of self and structure of self is more rigid when students perceive threats especially when the instructor tries to force some concepts to the learners (Neid, 2009). Rollo May (1909- 1994) Rollo May is a co-founder of humanistic psychology and concentrated on existential psychotherapist. His contribution aimed at reconciling existential psychology with other approaches through outlining stages of human development (Baucum, 2006). His work delved in to human life awareness and self-expression including the free will. He asserted that the first stage is the innocence or pre-self-conscious stage and the second stage is the rebellion whereby the individual desires personal privacy and freedom (Bernstein, 2011). The third is the decision stage whereby an individual is independent of parents and the next is the ordinary stage whereby an adult person accepts responsibility and conforms to traditional values (Baucum, 2006). The last stage is the creative stage whereby the individual desires and aims at self-actualisation. Criticism of third-force/humanistic psychology Humanistic psychology criticises the psychoanalysis and behaviorism approaches and ignores scientific approach to learning psychology. The approach rejects animal research as a viable means of attaining knowledge of humans and their behaviour. In this case, humanistic approach concentrates much on the self-concept thus leading to psychoanalytic followers to claim that humans are incapable of understanding their own behaviours due to unconscious feelings (Baucum, 2006). Behaviorists criticize this approach by outlining that the phenomenological approach is dualistic, subjective and lacks empirical validity and scientific method of testing its assumptions and findings (Baucum, 2006). Conclusion Third force or humanistic psychology asserts that human is the most critical thing and explains that human beings have a tendency to attain self-actualisation. Humanistic psychology aims at enabling individuals attain their own personal meanings and gain creativity in solving certain societal problems. The approach ignores behaviorist and psychoanalytic approaches that explain human behaviour from classical or operant conditioning. The founders of this approach include Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May who focused on understanding self-actualisation and self-concept of human beings. Maslow advanced the theory of hierarchy of needs that aim at self-actualisation thus contributing to self-awareness, openness to new experiences and creativity while Carl Rogers advanced the theory of self. Roger used his theory of self to formulate a client-centered approach to therapies and learning thus contributing to prominence of the theory in social applications. References: Baucum, D. (2006). Psychology. New York: Barron’s. Bernstein, D.A. (2011). Essentials of psychology. Belmont: Wadsworth cengage learning. Glassman, W.E & Hadad, M. (2009). Approaches to psychology. London: McGraw-Hill. Grogan, J.L. (2008). A cultural history of the humanistic psychology movement in America. New York: ProQuest. Kalat, J.W. (2011). Introduction to psychology. Belmont: Wadworth cengage learning. Neid, J.S. (2009). Psychology: concepts and applications. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Nicholas, L.J. (2008). Introduction to psychology. Cape Town: UCT Press. Rowan, J. (1998). The Reality Game. A guide to Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Second edition. Routledge. London. Seeman, J. (2008). Psychotherapy and the fully functioning person. Bloomington: AuthorHouse. Tennant, M. (2006). Psychology and adult learning. London: Taylor & Francis. Totton, N. (2010). The problem with the humanistic therapies. London: Karnac. Read More