Humanistic and existential psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as responses to the limitations of psychoanalysis and behaviourism, offering a more holistic view of human experience. In a 300-word essay, discuss the development, principles, and impact of these perspectives on the history of psychology.

Address the following points:

– Foundations and Key Figures:
Describe the origins of humanistic psychology, focusing on the contributions of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Highlight how existential psychology, influenced by philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Jean-Paul Sartre, was shaped by psychologists such as Viktor Frankl and Rollo May.

– Core Concepts:
Explain the key principles of humanistic psychology, including self-actualisation, unconditional positive regard, and the belief in inherent human potential. Discuss existential psychology’s focus on freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in the face of life’s ultimate concerns, such as death and isolation.

– Criticisms and Influence:
Reflect on criticisms of these approaches, such as their perceived lack of empirical rigour. Despite this, analyse how humanistic and existential perspectives enriched psychology by addressing topics like personal growth, meaning, and individuality.

– Legacy:
Discuss the lasting impact of these perspectives on contemporary psychology, including their influence on therapies like client-centred therapy and logotherapy, and their relevance in fields like positive psychology and existential psychotherapy. (750 to 3,000 characters) *

Foundations-1B: History of Psychology

Week 9 Essay