What are we studying: What is the main motive for the growth and development of an individual?
What's new: What does humanistic psychology mean and what discovery has it made?
What will we learn: What hinders growth and development, and what promotes it?
1. The main force motivating [setting in motion, ed., author] the human organism is the tendency to actualize [lit. action, activity, ed., author] all the organism's abilities [capacity, ed., author]. A growing organism strives to realize its potential within the limits of its heredity. A person may not always clearly see which actions lead to growth and which to regression. But when the path is clear, the individual prefers to grow rather than regress (Atkinson R.L., et al., 2003) [1].
2. Internal growth potential. Those who think of self-love as an indulgence of their "I" probably do not consider our hereditary desire for growth and development of the individual. The science of the human psyche asserts that the main internal force that drives a human is the desire to use his full potential (see epigraph). In other words, we do not need a supervisor in the form of consciousness, who would constantly control it and urge it on with a stick (V fr. 3. 9, 10; 4. 8). This is similar to a human who wants to grow an apple tree, pulling its trunk upward, thinking that in this way he is growing it. The apple tree grows and develops without anyone's help since such an opportunity or potential is inherent. A human has an incomparably greater potential [2]. Two outstanding founders of humanistic psychology succeeded in discovering the "tendency to actualization" or the desire of a human to use his full potential.
3. Humanistic psychology. The foundation for humanistic psychology was laid by two American psychologists, Carl Rogers (1902-1987) and Abraham Maslow (1908-1970). They belonged to the Association of Humanistic Psychology, which they created together with other psychologists in 1962. One of the four principles of the Association drew attention to the attitude towards humans. They recognized human dignity as the highest value in man [1]. In other words, the essence of humans in itself has a basis for respect and does not need to be earned through position in society, career, success, etc. It is higher and more valuable than any external signs of distinction. The Association was confident in the good nature of man. How much this position differs from the position of Jean Calvin (V fr. 3. 5, 8) and the position of Western culture (V fr. 5. 4). And conversely, how close is the position of the Association of Humanistic Psychology to God's position about the dignity of man (V fr. 6. 6, 8). What has humanistic psychology discovered about human growth and development?
4. What has humanistic psychology discovered? Carl Rogers created his theory based on almost 30 years of work in the clinic with his patients. Having gained vast experience in helping his patients, he came to an unexpected conclusion. He understood that the main force driving a human is a strong desire to grow and develop within the limits of his heredity [1, 3]. However, due to the environment in which a human was born, raised, and educated serious illnesses, and other insurmountable circumstances, his individuality could be significantly suppressed. Because of this, he did not have the opportunity to grow and develop, but as soon as the circumstances become surmountable, he will want to grow and develop [1].
5. Freedom of choice. People are not fruit trees that do not have freedom of choice regarding their growth and development. Every person has freedom of choice. However, some people can make unwise choices, not realizing the bitter consequences - the destruction of their individuality and, as a consequence, their bodies. But this does not mean that a human cannot grow and develop. This potential is inherent in him from birth, as an integral part of each individual. The capacity to consciously choose in favor of something or reject it is what distinguishes a human from all living creatures. This is the freedom of man, and wise people respect this right.
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