by Dr. Deborah Bauers

Created on: August 09, 2010   Last Updated: August 25, 2010

While Freudian thought and the tenets of behavioralism were still a prevalent part of the last half of the 1900’s, several new schools of thought were emerging  that began to reshape the science of psychology in the 21st century. Scientists began to question why neither psychoanalytic theory nor behavioralism focused any attention on behaviors that were peculiar only to human beings. Research methods improved and scientists looked for ways to learn about human behavior that did not involve experimentation with laboratory animals. The science of psychology developed increasing credibility and took its place along side of other scientific fields.

A new approach to studying the human mind called Humanism took its place alongside of other existing psychological constructs.  The cognitive school of thought developed at about the same time and championed the revolutionary idea of studying the relationship between thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors. Still later, researchers would begin to turn new attention toward seeking to understand how the physiology and chemistry of the brain could impact psychological constructs and treatment protocols. Modern constructs of psychological thought were emerging and paving the way for psychology in the 21st century.

Humanism

The Humanistic movement championed self-love, self-consciousness, and self-actualization as hallmarks of a new breed of psychologists who looked specifically at human beings to find their uniquenesses, both in attributes and in potential problems.

Proponents of the Humanistic movement believed that human beings were all capable of altruistic motives and, given the opportunity, could make good choices and seek the best interests of not only themselves, but of others. Humanism is in direct conflict with evangelical theology that teaches that mankind is inherently evil and incapable of redemption apart from the plan of God.

Carl Rogers popularized the idea that therapy could offer clients the opportunity to reach their highest potentials while flourishing under the attentive care of a clinician who valued positive regard and empathy. His work raised the bar and standard for recognizing those qualities in a therapist that lend themselves toward the optimal client-therapist relationship.

Maslow is best known for his “Hierarchy of Human Needs” in which he outlined his perspective on the stages that a human being must go through in order to finally self-actualize

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