HUMANISM: A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH

◼ Humanism in psychology “Humanistic, humanism and humanist are terms

in psychology relating to an approach which studies the whole person,
and the uniqueness of each individual.”
◼ “Humanism is a psychological approach that emphasizes the study of the
whole person. Humanistic psychologists look at human behavior not
only through the eyes of the observer, but through the eyes of the
person doing the behaving.”
◼ “Humanistic psychologists believe that an individual's behavior is
connected to their inner feelings and self concept.”self concept McLeod,
S. A. (2007). 
◼ Carl Rogers 1902 - 1987 Passionate about education that engaged with
the whole person and with their experiences. He saw the following five
elements as being part of significant or experiential learning:
◼ 1.It has a quality of personal involvement – feelings and cognition
◼ 2.It is self-initiated – even when initiated from the outside, the sense of
discovery, of reaching out, of comprehending, comes from within
◼ 3.It is pervasive – makes a difference to the behaviour,
attitudes and personality of the learner
◼ 4.It is evaluated by the learner – whether they are
learning what they need to learn
◼ 5.Its essence is meaning – when learning takes place the
meaning is built into the whole experience.
◼ “Rogers saw the facilitation of learning as the main aim of education. He
believed that teachers should create supportive learning environments
where they could work with pupils to achieve mutually agreed goals. In
these supportive classrooms, he argued, children would grow to love
learning.
◼ He was against traditional transmission teaching where teachers
are the font of all knowledge and pupils receivers.” Describe a
“supportive learning environment”
 A. S. Neill - Humanism in practice! “The function of a child is
◼  

to live his own life – not the life that his anxious parents think
he should live, nor a life according to the purpose of the
educator who thinks he knows best.”
◼ 
◼ Summerhill School Optional attendance based on the
belief that children learn more effectively when they
learn by choice rather than by compulsion Students
progress at their own pace Equal voice of staff and
students.
◼ Malcolm Knowles – Proposed 6 Principles of Adult Learning
◼ 1. Adults need to know why, what and how they are learning.
◼ 2. Their self-concept is important. They often wish to be autonomous and
self-directing.
◼ 3. Their prior experience is influential. It can be used as a resource for current
learning. It can also shape attitudes to current learning.
◼ 4. Readiness to learn is important. Adults usually learn best
when something is of immediate value.
◼ 5. Adults often focus on solving problems in contexts or
situations that are important to them.
◼ 6. Motivation to learn tends to be based on the intrinsic value
of learning and the personal pay-off. 
◼ Promoting learning – humanistic principles Need to know Readiness to
learn Autonomy and self- direction Problem solving, Prior experience
and self Motivation.
◼  Humanistic principles Explore with individuals and groups what they
need to know or want to do.
◼ Facilitate active learning to develop autonomy; self- direction
and skills as expert learners.
◼ Try to harness prior experiences in teaching and learning
activities.
◼ Students might have to do some unlearning.
◼ Promoting learning – humanistic principles
Readiness to learn – tailoring courses, lessons,
activities and assessments to learner needs. Use
real problems adults want to solve. Maintain and
promote motivation, especially intrinsic
motivation.
ASSIGNMENT:

◼ 1. What the different practices in your school that are “humanistic” approach?
◼ Give at least three examples and explain each of them.

◼ Post your answer to our google classroom.