The connection between all this and learning and how it can make you sharper might seem like one huge question mark.
Well, here's the scoop: It should come as no surprise that humanistic tendencies are closely tied to human motivation theory in psychology and also to learning theories, linking behaviour with learning.
If you've peeked at other learning models, you may be familiar with them. However, this theory packs some unique perks that we'll go over in this article.
What is Humanistic Learning Theory?
You must first understand the theory clearly to make the most of it. Psychology claims that humanistic theory highlights how important each person is in creating a better environment. The ultimate goal is to create a healthier, more cohesive world. This empathy and unity are the tickets to learning, as they encourage each individual to learn and spread knowledge so that more people can take advantage of it.
Therefore, humanism aims to create a world where everyone's got each other's backs, even when the going gets tough. It's about tackling crises together and lending a hand when needed most.
To sum up, humanistic theory is concerned with maximizing the potential of each individual and taking into account factors like free will and personal safety in order to keep stress at bay.
This theory emphasizes that every human being is capable of doing great regardless of anything and is not constrained by any considerations. Accordingly, it gives everyone the freedom to act however they please without fear of consequences, judgment, rewards, or penalties.
Since cooperative learning is central to humanist theory, these notions and views ought to be freely discussed and shared rather than imposed. The theory acknowledges that humanity as a whole is the strongest force on Earth and that each individual is in charge of governing their thoughts and behaviors.
Assumptions of the Theory
All these ideas seem highly idealistic, and they are indeed. Humanistic theory is based on four main assumptions about human personality:
- Researchers in humanistic theory assume that every human is inherently good and that there is no inherent evil at all.
- The first assumption leads to the second, which is that every human wants to strive to be in the best condition they can be, regardless of the efforts required.
- The third assumption states that humans can freely control their thoughts.
- The fourth and final assumption states that positivity and optimism are the only ways to achieve righteousness.
Humanistic-Based Learning
When we talk about humanistic-based learning, we must mention these three basic concepts:
Observation relies solely on reality and truths, on things that are observable and do not require imagination in any way. This does not, however, limit learning to the confines of prior knowledge. Assessment is where all imagination, opinions, and personal perspectives come in.
Humanism is a big proponent of creativity since it actually encourages learning through creative mediums like music, literature, and the arts, as well as visual, auditory, and reading or writing learning modes.
Reviewing helps one repeat the right things, clearly differentiating reality from personal biases and societal views.
Evolution of Humanistic Theory
Perhaps many thinkers pondered this theory, but it didn't gain popularity until the 20th century. Many academics approached this theory in their own way, but they all aimed for one common goal: finding ways to learn that enhance strengths and address weaknesses in each individual's personality. Despite numerous studies, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow stand out as prominent contributors to this theory. They added the following contributions:
1. Emotional Stability
Carl Rogers introduced unique ideas about learning, proposing ideas completely contrary to structured learning environments. He emphasized the importance of emotions, freedom in education, and breaking down all barriers. Rogers broadened the humanistic theory by claiming that one's emotions must be stable to enhance their strengths. He was certainly right; it's difficult for someone to learn something if they are angry or sad.
Rogers also advocated for curriculum flexibility and the freedom for each person to select the subjects they wish to study. Consequently, teachers no longer serve as instructors but rather as facilitators for all facets of learning. He states that you have the freedom to decide whether to work out on the treadmill or learn Zumba, for instance, if you're going to the gym. The gym trainer will assist you to avoid muscle strain or injury, and otherwise, you have full freedom to design your plan.
Although this approach could be great for many people, it totally disregards those who want a structured learning environment and some guidelines.
2. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow gained notoriety for organizing human motives and needs into a hierarchy that began with the most general category of needs, such as clothing, food, and shelter, and proceeded to security, love, and relationships, respect, and esteem. The ultimate goal of all these categories—which are listed in decreasing order of significance for efficient learning—is self-actualization.
What are the goals of humanistic theory in learning?
If this theory is summarized into one goal, it would be supporting the essence of each individual, their style, and personality. This goal is divided into several other goals that seek to improve society as a whole rather than just one person.
Concepts such as emotional learning, self-beliefs, goodwill towards all, and spreading positivity are closely related to the humanistic inclination, confirming the theory. The theory aims to build successful individuals in their respective vocations. You will discover that successful people have a great deal of humanity in them.
How to Learn through Humanistic Theory?
The humanistic theory is an optimistic approach, but following an ideal approach to the maximum extent here, although applicable, is challenging. However, Rogers and Maslow presented a suitable path for learners to follow. By implementing these two steps, you can improve your learning, regardless of the skill or type of knowledge you want to acquire.
1. Learning without Boundaries
Firstly, there's the approach proposed by Carl Rogers, which liberates learners from all kinds of imposed boundaries. You have full freedom to design your learning plan, but since you're not an expert, you can seek guidance from a teacher to facilitate your progress in learning.
You have complete control over the time, method, and content you learn. For example, if you're interested in learning a foreign language, you'll definitely need guidance from a language expert, but you can plan yourself regarding the learning pace, aspects of the language you want to learn, and scheduling, and similar matters.
2. Prioritizing Personal Needs:
One of the most vital elements of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is self-actualization, which is the main objective that you should work toward. You can reach it by following simple exercises aimed at personal development. You will discover that learning naturally flows from self-actualization into the rest of the theory, much like a domino effect.
You can also use the hierarchy of needs to prioritize the needs of each learner individually, ensuring smooth progress and successful outcomes. Thus, before moving forward in learning, make sure that your comfort, mental stability, and overall health are maintained. If comfort is your first priority, for instance, you can postpone your music lessons until you find a comfortable spot to sit.
Winding it Up
The humanistic approach emphasizes giving learners the majority of the control. Even if there can be downsides, this is a somewhat effective approach for those who are qualified for a particular task and know what they would like to learn and achieve. Learning takes place effectively when freedom and accountability coexist, empowering people to build on their assets and overcome their weaknesses.
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