Humanistic Psychology

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What's wrong with the Humanistic view of psychology ( criticisms)?

-- flornalyn felipe (gypsyschild@eudoramail.com), May 26, 2001

Answers

The usual primary criticism is that it does not articulate rigorously formulated theories the truth of which can be tested empirically. Joseph Rychlak published the book _The psychology of rigorous humanism_ (2nd ed, New York University Press, 1988) to address specifically this criticism. Most critics remained dubious, however.

-- Christopher Green (christo@yorku.ca), May 27, 2001.

For a totally different angle on this, you might try Paul Vitz, Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship (Williams B. Eerdmans, 1977). This book is representative of a strong Christian tradition.

You'll find other criticisms implicit in the work of such psychologists as Diana Baumrind, who would see humanism as lacking in terms of the moral guidance they provide. You can find my interpretation of Baumrind in Don Moss (Ed.), Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology: A Historical and Biographical Sourcebook (Greenwood Press, 1999)

-- Hendrika Vande Kemp (hendrika@fuller.edu), June 12, 2001.


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