“Third Force”
- Brian Lynn Bentley
- Mar 31, 2015
- 3 min read
note: One of my first papers my writing has improved a tad since then.
“Third Force” or the humanistic approach to psychology.
Brian Lynn Bentley
Introductory Psychology
Colorado Technical University Online
“Third Force” or the humanistic approach to psychology.
Brian Lynn Bentley
Abstract
The Third force as the Humanistic Approach to Psychology is sometimes called. It was a response to Behaviorism and Psychodynamic views of Psychology, Is a theory Created in the early 1940s and 1950s and gained an influence by the early 1960s. The Humanist theory places and emphasis’s on conscious decisions and life experience to change one’s own self. "No one’s ideas are as valid as experience." (Carl Rogers, 1961). Freedom being a core conception as well as self-determination of Humanistic philosophy; as opposed to the belief of the behaviorists. focusing entirely on environmental effects of psychology. Carl Rogers while working in the field of academia created his theories under the original title of "None directive therapy". This method has the therapist act as a facilitator as opposed to a directing the session.
Client centered therapy which is an indirect path to treatment. The method of Self-actualizing which led to the concept of creating the fully functioning person, a fully functioning person is one is touch with their deepest feelings, dreams and desires. The client needs to understand their urges and gut feelings Aka instincts. Carl Rogers idea that all people have an "Actualizing Tendency "(Carl Rogers), Referred to as self-actualizing. Self-actualizing is working towards having an unconditioned regard from other persons. He does not place barriers on their own self-worth. Carl Rogers believed that a healthy person is open to their feelings and life experience. "Essentially, the fully functioning person completely congruent and integrated." (Freeth, 2007) The total concept of involves being open to new experiences, not being defensive being able to trust one’s own judgments and open to criticism.
The creator of the humanistic approach Carl Rogers was born January 8, 1902 in Oak Park Illinois. When he enrolled in college he was first agriculture major then switched to religion. At a Christian seminar in china he decided to change after he graduated with Bachelors in history. And eventually graduated with a He eventually got his doctorate degree at Columbia in 1931.
Over his career He was a past president of the American Psychological Association. He was awarded several rewards such as distinguished scientific Contribution award in 1956. He was received professional achievement award and was even nominated for the most important one the Nobel Prize. While working at University of Wisconsin he had a few skirmishes with the psychology staff. So motivated to mover on he accepted a position at Western Behavioral Studies Institute. After a number of years he founded the Center for Studies of the Person.
His books and theories are a core of other psychological thoughts, Self-help, Motivational books and speakers from research to business organizations. He is very often cited by others and even today still influences psychology. In my personal experience I have seen a continuation of his thoughts and theories in basic needs to the current therapy of Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT). Thus, making me feel good about accomplishing things and even being motivated by those euphoric moments of; "Oh yes I got this.” I have used to not let things bother me and understand criticism when people are just trying to help. I openly listen and take the advice whether I agree with it or not leaves me to be fully informed to make decisions and self-actualization.
In the media I have seen self-help books use it often, and motivation speakers use it to motivate uptight business people to help with management and human resources. Unfortunate it has been abused by pop psychology and media an example of this criticism is Gibbons who started the APA's Division of Humanistic Psychology, and he referred to them as "hucksters and charlatans “But approves others such as Maslov in his creating the hierarchy of needs.
Center for Studies of the Person. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2015, from http://www.centerfortheperson.org
Cherry, K. (n.d.). Humanistic Psychology: A New Point of View (Page 4). Retrieved January 14, 2015, from http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/psychistory_4.htm
Carl Rogers.info - resources for students, researchers and practitioners. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2015, from http://www.carlrogers.info/aboutCarlRogers.html
Board, E. (n.d.). Introduction to psychology.
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