Psychology, Grades 9-12

Life Span Development Unit

Lesson: The Humanist Perspective
Objectives:
1. Student can define the major characteristics of the Humanist Perspective.
2. Student understands the contributions of both Maslow and Rogers to this perspective.
3. Student can apply each of these theories to real world examples.
Overarching Essential Question (student should be able to address this after completing the
entire unit):
Why is it important to understand the major theoretical frameworks of life span development; how can this
understanding shape each students views on development?
Essential Question:
What characteristics define the Humanist Perspective?
Focus Question:
What defines Maslows Theory? What defines Rogerss Theory?
Learning Methodology:
1. Students will view EDPuzzle presentation in order to gain a basic knowledge of the theory, and its
components.
2. As a class, we will go over this theory, with teacher reinforcement to ensure complete
understanding.
Assessments:
1. After each unit, students will be asked to respond to a simple poll indicating whether or not they
feel they have a good grasp of the material. The poll is not graded, rather used as a gauge to see
how effective each unit is.
2. Individually, students will examine the Humanist Perspective. Because individual aspects of this
perspective have not had a large or broad impact on Life Span Development, students will think
about what aspects of this perspective could be applied to this area of Psychology. They will use
these concepts to develop their own theoretical perspective, based on the Humanist Perspective.
They will introduce their new perspective through a PowerPoint presentation.