Question 1: What is the main focus of Humanistic Psychology?

Answer: Humanistic Psychology focuses on individual personal growth, self-actualization, and the belief that people have the capacity to make positive choices and develop their potential.

Question 2: Describe in your own words what ‘self-actualization’ means.

Answer: Self-actualization is the process of realizing and fulfilling one’s own potential and becoming the best version of oneself.

Question 3: Name two key figures associated with Humanistic Psychology.

Answer: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.

Question 4: Explain the concept of ‘hierarchy of needs’ as proposed by Abraham Maslow.

Answer: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a pyramid that shows different levels of human needs, starting with basic physiological needs like food and water, then safety, belongingness and love, esteem, and finally self-actualization at the top.

Question 5: Why do Humanistic psychologists believe that understanding a person’s feelings is important?

Answer: Because understanding feelings helps us to understand a person’s experiences and supports their personal growth and self-acceptance.

Question 6: Describe a scenario where someone might demonstrate self-actualization.

Answer: A person who has achieved self-actualization might pursue a career that they are passionate about, develop their talents, and feel fulfilled and content with their life.

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram that represents Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Label each level clearly.

Answer: A pyramid with five levels: at the bottom, Physiological needs; above that, Safety needs; then Belongingness and Love needs; next, Esteem needs; and at the top, Self-actualization.

Question 8: Sketch a person reaching for a star to symbolize self-actualization. Leave space for your drawing.

Answer: A person standing with an arm extended upward, reaching towards a star above them, symbolizing the pursuit of personal growth and potential.

Question 9: How do Humanistic psychologists view the concept of ‘free will’?

Answer: They believe that people have free will, meaning they can make their own choices and control their own lives to achieve personal growth.

Question 10: Explain why Humanistic Psychology is considered different from other approaches like Behaviourism or Psychodynamic Psychology.

Answer: Because it emphasizes personal experience, free will, and the importance of understanding individual feelings and personal growth, rather than just observable behaviour or unconscious processes.