What is the Human Givens approach?

Fromwww.hgi.org.uk

Read more about the approach, taught byMindFields Collegein the book:Human Givens: a new approach to emotional health and clear thinkingThe human givens framework offers a revolutionary neworganising idea derived from the latest scientific understandings from neurobiology and psychology, ancient wisdom and original newinsights. It is the first ever bio-psycho-social model of psychotherapy.Disseminated and taught since 1997, and initially focused on the treatment of mental distress, thisnew school of psychology and psychotherapy is rapidly being recognised as a profoundly importantshift in our understanding of human functioning. It has been called “the missing heart of positive psychology” and many now refer to it as “enhanced CBT”.The startling success produced by the efficacy, adaptability and practical nature of these new ideas,is borne out by the speed at which this model is moving into new areas, ranging from psychotherapy, education and social work to international diplomatic relations and the corporateworld of business.Click here to watch a video by Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell explaining why the human givensapproach is necessary.

What are the Human Givens?

We are all born with innate knowledge programmed into us from our genes. Throughout life weexperience this knowledge as feelings of physical and emotional need.These feelings evolved over millions of years and, whatever our cultural background, are our common biological inheritance. They are the driving force that motivates us to become fully humanand succeed in whatever environment we find ourselves in. It is because they are incorporated intoour biology at conception that we call them 'human givens'.

Given physical needs:

As animals we are born into a material world where we need air to breathe,water, nutritious food and sufficient sleep. These are the paramount physical needs. Without them,we quickly die. In addition we also need the freedom to stimulate our senses and exercise our muscles. We instinctively seek sufficient and secure shelter where we can grow and reproduceourselves and bring up our young. These physical needs are intimately bound up with our emotionalneeds — the main focus of human givens psychology.

Given emotional needs:

Emotions create distinctive psychobiological states in us and drive us totake action. The emotional needs nature has programmed us with are there to connect us to theexternal world, particularly to other people, and survive in it. They seek their fulfillment through theway we interact with the environment. Consequently, when these needs are not met in the world,nature ensures we suffer considerable distress — anxiety, anger, depression etc. — and our expression of distress, in whatever form it takes, impacts on those around us.People whose emotional needs are met in a balanced way do not suffer mental health problems.When psychotherapists and teachers pay attention to this they are at their most effective.In short, it is by meeting our physical and emotional needs that we survive and develop asindividuals and a species.