Humanistic psychologists, Rogers and Maslow, challenge early views that a student’s learning should be determined by professionals, as they have the academic knowledge of each learning process. They have argued that a ‘person-centered’ approach would provide a better knowledge base for the learner. This approach endorses everyone having the resources and tendency to develop, progress and be nurtured individually. For instance, the teacher and the student work together to influence a conclusion, where the involvement...
Humanistic psychologists, Rogers and Maslow, challenge early views that a student’s learning should be determined by professionals, as they have the academic knowledge of each learning process. They have argued that a ‘person-centered’ approach would provide a better knowledge base for the learner. This approach endorses everyone having the resources and tendency to develop, progress and be nurtured individually. For instance, the teacher and the student work together to influence a conclusion, where the involvement of the student, regarding his or her life, is taken into consideration. According to Curzon and Tummons “Roger’s humanistic approach understood the role of a teacher as being not a controller or director of learning but a facilitator”. The humanistic approach is that of learners needing to feel empowered by their own wisdom and their ability to have control over this process. Rogers agreed with the main assumptions of Maslow and his ‘hierarchy of needs’, although added that for an individual to develop, they must be provided for within a setting that recognizes openness and self-disclosure, acceptance and empathy. The deprivation of these essentials would not allow for positive relationships and healthy personalities. Rogers believed that everyone could achieve their goals and desires in life allowing self-actualization to take place. “The organism has one basic tendency and striving – to actualize, maintain, and enhance the experiencing organism.”
