Lesson 01

Philosophy
of
Humanism
BY: FARHA C. HASHIM
What is humanistic
learning theory in
education?
´Good teachers are always looking for
ways to improve their methods to help
students thrive in their classroom.
Different learning theories and
techniques help teachers connect with
different students based on their
learning style and abilities.
Teaching strategies that are student-centered
often have great success in helping students
learn and grow better.
Learner-centered approaches place the
student as the authority in the educational
setting, helping ensure that they are the
focus of education and are in control of their
learning to an extent. 
 The idea of student-centered learning is an
example of the humanistic learning theory in
action. It’s valuable for current and aspiring
educators alike to learn about student-centered
education and other humanistic approaches to use
in their classroom. These approaches can be vital
in helping students truly learn and succeed in
their education. Learn more about the humanistic
learning theory and discover how it can be
implemented in the classroom.
 The In history humanistic
humanistic psychology is an outlook or
system of thought that focuses
theory in on human beings rather than
supernatural or divine insight.
education: This system stresses that
human beings are inherently
good, and that basic needs are
vital to human behaviors.
 Humanistic psychology also focuses on
finding rational ways to solve these human
problems. At its root, the psychology of
humanism focuses on human virtue. It has
been an important movement throughout
history, from Greek and Latin roots to
Renaissance and now modern revivals.
 This theory and approach in education takes
root in humanistic psychology, with the key
concepts focusing on the idea that children
are good at the core and that education should
focus on rational ways to teach the “whole”
child. This theory states that the student is the
authority on how they learn, and that all of
their needs should be met in order for them to
 For example, a student who is hungry won’t
have as much attention to give to learning. So
schools offer meals to students so that need is
met, and they can focus on education. The
humanistic theory approach engages social
skills, feelings, intellect, artistic skills,
practical skills, and more as part of their
education. Self-esteem, goals, and full
 The humanistic learning theory was
developed by Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers,
and James F. T. Bugental in the early 1900’s.
Humanism was a response to the common
educational theories at the time, which were
behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Abraham
Maslow is considered the father of the
movement, with Carl Rogers and James F.T.
 Maslow and the humanists believed that
behaviorism and other psychology theories
had a negative perception of learners—for
example operant conditioning in behaviorism
psychology suggested that students only
acted in a good or bad manner because of the
reward or punishment and could be trained
based on that desire for a reward.
Maslow and humanistic psychology suggests
that students are inherently good and will
make good decisions when all their needs are
met. Humanistic psychology focuses on the
idea that learners bring out the best in
themselves, and that humans are driven by
their feelings more than rewards and
punishments. Maslow believed this and wrote
 There are several important
principles involved in the
humanistic learning theory that
all lead to self-actualization.
The principles of Self-actualization is when all
humanistic your needs are met, you’ve
become the best you’ve can, and
learning you are fulfilled. While Maslow
theory: and the humanists don’t believe
that most people reach self-
actualization, their belief is that
we are always in search of it,
and the closer we are, the more
Student choice. Choice is
Fostering engagement to
central to the humanistic inspire students to become
learning theory and self-motivated to learn. The
humanistic psychology. effectiveness of this
Humanistic learning is psychology approach is
student-centered, so based on learners feeling
students are encouraged to engaged and self-motivated
take control over their so they want to learn.
education.
The importance of self-
evaluation. For most
humanistic teachers,
grades don’t really matter.
Self-evaluation is the most
meaningful way to
evaluate how learning is
going.
Feelings and knowledge are
both important to the
learning process and should
not be separated according to
humanistic psychology.
Humanistic teachers believe
that knowledge and feelings
go hand-in-hand in the
learning process.
A safe learning environment. Because humanistic
learning focuses on the entire student, humanistic
educators understand that they need to create a
safe environment so students can have as many as
their needs met as possible.
 •Teach learning skills. Good
The role of teacher teachers in humanistic
and student in learning theory focus on
humanistic helping students develop
learning theory. learning skills. Students are
responsible for learning
choices, so helping them
understand the best ways to
learn is key to their success.
•Provide motivation for classroom
tasks. Humanistic learning focuses
on engagement, so teachers need
to provide motivation and exciting
activities to help students feel
engaged about learning.
 •Provide choices to students in
task/subject selection. Choice is central to
humanistic learning, so teachers have a
role in helping work with students to
make choices about what to learn. They
may offer options, help students evaluate
what they’re excited about, and more.
 •Create opportunities for group work
with peers. As a facilitator in the
classroom, teachers create group
opportunities to help students explore,
observe, and self evaluate. They can do
this better as they interact with other
students who are learning at the same
 •Create opportunities for group work
with peers. As a facilitator in the
classroom, teachers create group
opportunities to help students explore,
observe, and self evaluate. They can do
this better as they interact with other
students who are learning at the same
 Thank
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