Humanistic Approach

The humanistic approach is a school of psychology that emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against psychoanalysis and behaviorism, placing the individual at its center. This approach focuses on the individual’s innate potential, free will, creativity, and pursuit of self-actualization. Its fundamental aim is to understand human experience, the search for meaning, and the unique development of the individual through a holistic perspective. Humanistic psychology asserts that individuals possess the capacity to make their own decisions, progress on the path of personal growth, and create a meaningful life.

The Emergence and Core Principles of the Humanistic Approach

The humanistic approach began to be known in the 1950s as the “third force” in psychology, led by prominent figures such as Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Gordon Allport. This movement arose in response to the limitations of behaviorism, which was seen as reducing human nature to a mechanical stimulus-response cycle, and psychoanalysis, which was criticized for portraying the individual as controlled by unconscious drives. Humanistic psychology defines the human being not as a passive entity but as an active, conscious being capable of shaping their own future.

One of the foundational principles of this approach is the phenomenological perspective. This principle emphasizes that each individual’s perception and experience of the world are unique and that it is essential to study each person’s inner world, or their own “subjective reality.” Another core principle is that human beings are inherently good and possess the potential for personal growth. The humanistic approach accepts that every individual, given appropriate conditions, will move toward self-actualization. This concept forms the basis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory.

This theory presents a hierarchical progression beginning with physiological needs, followed by safety, love and belonging, esteem, and culminating in the need for self-actualization. According to Maslow, once an individual satisfies a need at a lower level, they are motivated by the need at the next higher level. This process enables the person to fully realize their potential and achieve maturity.

Carl Rogers applied the humanistic approach through person-centered therapy. According to Rogers, the therapist’s provision of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness (congruence) is critical for the individual to discover their own inner potential and accept themselves. Rogers argued that every person is born with an innate “tendency toward self-actualization,” a drive toward growth and transformation.

This tendency must be supported by appropriate environmental conditions for healthy development. The humanistic approach also emphasizes the individual’s pursuit of a “meaningful life.” It holds that it is not enough merely to satisfy basic needs; adherence to values, purpose, and personal fulfillment are equally essential. In this context, psychological health is not viewed merely as the absence of illness or disorder but as an ongoing process of development and completion in which the individual actively realizes their potential.

Impacts on Learning and Development Processes

The humanistic approach has become one of the foundational pillars not only of psychotherapy but also of education and learning processes. This approach prioritizes the student’s individual differences, emotional needs, and free will. Learning is seen not merely as the passive absorption of knowledge but as a process of self-discovery and engagement in meaningful experiences. In this model, student motivation is intrinsic, and the act of learning stems from the individual’s desire for self-improvement and maturation. The teacher assumes the role of a facilitator rather than an authoritarian figure, guiding the student, enriching the learning environment, and helping to uncover their innate potential. This approach seeks to create a learning experience tailored to the student’s interests, abilities, and personal goals.

In the humanistic model of learning, the student’s emotional needs and the ability to express themselves in a safe environment are of great importance. Students are encouraged to develop higher-order skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving. This model emphasizes that failure is a natural part of the learning process and that what matters most is not the outcome but the journey of learning itself. Subjects such as art, music, and drama, which provide opportunities for self-expression and the development of emotional intelligence, align particularly well with this approach.

Interdisciplinary connections, projects, and group work contribute to strengthening students’ social skills and enhancing their capacity for empathy. In the learning process, attention is focused on the student’s relationship with themselves and their environment, aiming not only for academic development but also for emotional and social growth. This supports the individual in cultivating respect for themselves and others, developing empathy, and living a value-centered life.

Relationship with Spiritual Counseling and Communication

By focusing on the holistic nature of the individual, humanistic psychology establishes a close relationship with spiritual counseling and other domains of communication. Spiritual counseling addresses existential concerns, the search for meaning, and spiritual needs. Because the humanistic approach emphasizes the inherent goodness and self-actualizing potential within every person, it adopts in spiritual counseling an approach that is nonjudgmental, empathetic, and characterized by unconditional acceptance toward the client.

These two fields converge on the common ground of viewing personal distress not as pathology but as existential challenges encountered along the journey of personal growth. The core principles of humanistic psychology—empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness—form the foundation of the client-counselor relationship in spiritual counseling.

Furthermore, the humanistic approach has also influenced interpersonal communication and personality theories. According to this perspective, personality is not a static structure but a dynamic and evolving process shaped by the individual’s choices and decisions. Individuals’ communication styles and personalities are formed through their internal motivations, efforts toward self-actualization, and relationships with their environment. This approach views communication not merely as the transmission of information but as a process through which individuals understand, accept, and grow together.

Communication that is free from judgment and grounded in empathy enhances the individual’s freedom of self-expression and fosters the development of healthy relationships. Therefore, humanistic principles are regarded as an approach with the potential to improve the quality of communication at both individual and societal levels. It is anticipated that a holistic understanding of the individual ensures that their psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions are all taken into account.