The postmodern era in psychology refers to the period when new theories and researches in psychology were created and established in the 1960s.

Humanistic psychology is a psychological approach that focuses on the growth, potential, and self-actualization of individuals.

Humanistic psychology refers a method that examines the individual and their uniqueness. It grew against the theories of psychoanalysis and behaviourism in psychology. The 1960s saw the rise of the humanistic movement in the United States. 1962 saw the formation of the Association for Humanistic Psychology. This theory was pioneered by Rollo May and Carl Jung. Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Carl Jung are just a few of them.

Humanistic psychologists believe behaviourists are too concerned about analysing people’s behaviours. Humanistic psychologists disagree with psychoanalysis’ determinist approach. This assumes that one’s childhood experiences and drives will determine how one behaves. Humanistic psychology starts with the belief that phenomenology and free will are central concepts. Humanistic terminology for free will is personal agency. It is the ability to make choices in our lives, determine the path we take and what the consequences are. Abraham H. Maslow (American psychologist) is a leading figure in humanistic psychology. His hierarchy of needs or drives was designed to increase or decrease the importance of each need. Only those with more basic needs can progress up the hierarchy. Only those who reach self-actualization can realize their full potential.

Humanistic psychologists place the central focus on self-understanding. Carl Rogers, an American psychotherapist believes that individuals view the world according primarily to their personal experiences. This perception has an impact on their personality, and they can use it to guide their behavior to satisfy their needs. Rogers said that “self actualization and self maintenance are the key to a person’s development as a personality.”

Rollo May, an American psychologist and existentialist, stressed that humans are beings who experience. May said that being aware of your mortality can lead to passion and vitality.

Rogera and Maslow saw personal growth as a fundamental human desire. Each person seeks to improve their psychological and spiritual abilities in their own unique ways. Self-actualization is a term that refers to psychological growth, fulfillment, and happiness in life. Rogers and Maslow, however, offer different approaches to self-actualization.

Rogers’ and Maslow’s humanistic theories are based on the subjective, conscious experiences that each individual has. Humanistic psychologists claim that objective reality can be less important than subjective perceptions and understandings. Rogers & Marlow therefore regarded scientific psychology as of little importance, particularly the psychology laboratory that investigates both human behavior and animal behaviour.

This theory is not without critics. It is sometimes criticized as being too subjective. Individual experience is what makes it difficult for us to objectively measure and study humanistic phenomena. How can we objectively measure self-actualization? It is impossible to say. Only the individual can make their own judgments about their experiences. Another problem is that observations are not reliable and it is impossible to quantify or measure these qualities.

Psychological community

A community psychologist studies human behaviour within multiple historical, cultural, socio-political and ecological contexts. This is a shift away from the traditional psychology’s focus on the nuclear, internal and cognitive family to place more emphasis on social systems and structures.

The United States saw the birth of community psychology during the 1950s. This development was influenced in part by the 1960s-70s sociopolitical environment. The context for the development of the field was provided by civil rights, peace activism and feminism. It was founded on the belief that psychology should not be limited to treating individuals with problems once they have occurred but also address social conditions (e.g. It is important to recognize the dangers of distress and disease that are caused by poverty and racism.