humanistic psychology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “humanistic psychology” mean?
A psychological perspective that emphasizes the inherent goodness, potential for growth, and self-actualization of individuals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A psychological perspective that emphasizes the inherent goodness, potential for growth, and self-actualization of individuals.
A school of thought in psychology that developed in the mid-20th century as a reaction against behaviorism and psychoanalysis. It focuses on conscious experiences, free will, human dignity, and personal meaning, often associated with figures like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is used identically in academic psychology.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can connote a somewhat holistic, less scientific, or 'softer' approach compared to cognitive or behavioral psychology.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both varieties, confined mainly to psychology and adjacent fields like counselling.
Grammar
How to Use “humanistic psychology” in a Sentence
[Humanistic psychology] + verb (focuses on, emphasizes, stresses)Adjective (modern, contemporary, Rogers') + [humanistic psychology]Preposition (in, of, from) + [humanistic psychology]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “humanistic psychology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The therapist was influenced by and began to practise principles derived from humanistic psychology.
American English
- The curriculum was reformed to incorporate humanistic psychology.
adverb
British English
- The session was conducted humanistic-psychology-influenced, focusing on the client's frame of reference. (Highly awkward, demonstrates non-use as a standard adverb)
American English
- He argued humanistic-psychology-style for the primacy of subjective experience. (Highly awkward, demonstrates non-use as a standard adverb)
adjective
British English
- His humanistic psychology background was evident in his client-centred approach.
American English
- She took a humanistic psychology perspective in her research on well-being.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in contexts of human resources, coaching, or leadership development that draws on psychological theories.
Academic
Primary context. Found in psychology textbooks, course titles, and research papers discussing historical or theoretical approaches.
Everyday
Very rare. An average speaker is unlikely to use this term.
Technical
Common in professional psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, and educational theory discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “humanistic psychology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “humanistic psychology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “humanistic psychology”
- Using 'humanistic' as a vague synonym for 'humane' or 'kind' within psychology.
- Confusing it with 'humanitarianism' (charitable aid).
- Pronouncing 'psychology' with /p/ instead of /saɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but its influence is more integrated than dominant. Its core principles (client-centered therapy, focus on well-being) are prevalent in counselling, coaching, and positive psychology.
Abraham Maslow (hierarchy of needs) and Carl Rogers (person-centered therapy) are considered the primary figures. Rollo May contributed existential-humanistic psychology.
Its primary criticism from the scientific community is that many of its central ideas (e.g., self-actualization) are subjective and difficult to define or measure with rigour, making them less amenable to empirical testing.
Positive psychology is a newer, research-focused field that studies human flourishing. It is influenced by humanistic psychology but aims for a more empirical, data-driven approach to topics like happiness and strength.
A psychological perspective that emphasizes the inherent goodness, potential for growth, and self-actualization of individuals.
Humanistic psychology is usually academic / technical in register.
Humanistic psychology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhjuː.məˌnɪs.tɪk saɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhjuː.məˌnɪs.tɪk saɪˈkɑː.lə.dʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HUMAN-istic = focuses on what makes us uniquely human (choice, creativity, values), not rats or repressed instincts.
Conceptual Metaphor
PSYCHOLOGY IS A JOURNEY UPWARDS (self-actualization as reaching a summit; growth as ascending).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most closely associated with humanistic psychology?