most would agree that the world is a cruel place. It is not only focused on people, although most of what happens directly or indirectly affects human behavior. The theory of humanism can be seen as a step towards a more sensitive world, a kinder world. You might be thinking how all of this has to do with learning and how it can make you more qualified than you already are. Well, humanism has its origins in psychology, but it is also closely related to learning theories. This theory links behavior to learning, which isn't all that unique if you look at some other learning models. However, it is still very different with unique uses and benefits. Today you will learn all about it!
What is the theory of humanistic learning?
To get the most out of a concept, you must first have a solid understanding of what a theory is. According to the theory in psychology, this puts people in charge of creating better conditions. It aims at a common strong and united world. Here's the thing: This sense of togetherness and empathy leads to learning by encouraging each person to not only acquire the knowledge themselves, but to spread it so that more people can benefit from it. In general, humanism seeks to create a world where everyone is useful, so that even in the most difficult times, any crisis can be fought with cooperation. In terms of definition, theory, humanism focuses on the potential of the individual. It emphasizes things like free will and personal well-being to minimize stress. It is not tied to any religion or culture. Instead of humanism, it believes that regardless of these factors, every person is capable of kindness. This theory gives every person the right to believe what they want without any consequences, criticism, reward or punishment. However, since the whole idea of humanism is co-education, these ideas and beliefs should be openly discussed and shared without ever being respected. The strongest force according to humanism is the human race itself. Each person is responsible for controlling their thoughts and actions.
Assumptions of the theory
All of these ideas seem highly idealistic, and they most certainly are. The theory of humanism was developed from four basic assumptions.
- Humanistic researchers assume that deep down, every person is good. There is no evil.
- This leads to the second assumption, which is that everyone wants to strive to be their best version, no matter what effort they need to put in.
- The third assumption is that people are free to control their thoughts.
- The ultimate assumption is that being positive and optimistic is the only way to achieve good.
Humanism-Oriented Learning
When it comes to humanism regarding learning, the three components include:
- Observation
- Evaluation
- revision
Observation relies solely on truth and reality. It is free from any kind of fantasy. Only those things that can be observed exist in full reality. It does not limit learning to what is already known. The score is where all the fantasies, opinions and personal points of view come from. In essence, humanism strongly supports learning through creative means such as art, music, and literature. This includes visual, auditory, and reading or writing learning styles. This theory is a strong proponent of creativity. Then the editors help the person to repeat what is true and what they think about it. Thus, reality is clearly different from personal predilections and social vision. However, all concepts are imprinted in the brain.
Development of the theory of humanism
Humanism may be in the minds of many, but it didn't gain popularity until well into the 20th century. Many researchers have circumvented this theory in their own way. However, they all had one common goal, to find ways of learning that would promote each person's strengths and weaknesses. While there have been a few studies, the two main people who have done wonders for side spectrum study are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. ((Minnesota State University: humanistic and holistic study of theory)) they added the following contribution to this theory:
Emotional Resilience
Carl Rogers had very unique ideas about learning. Basically, he proposed the exact opposite of a structured educational environment. Instead, he emphasized emotion, learning, freedom, and the elimination of all boundaries. Basically, Rogers extended the theories of humanism by arguing that for any person to improve their strengths, they must have stable emotions. He was certainly right. Have you ever successfully found out while you were angry or sad? Rogers also suggested that each person should be able to choose what they want to study. Curriculum restrictions must be eradicated. It also changes the role of teacher tutors for simple intermediaries. This applies to every part of the training. If you were to go to the gym because of this belief, you can choose whether you want to go for zumba or exercise on the treadmill. The gym instructor will then help you avoid pulling a muscle or injuring yourself. Other than that, you will have complete freedom to create your own plan. While this might be a great technique for a huge audience, it completely ignores people who need a structured learning environment along with a set of rules to follow.
Hierarchy of needs
Maslow is best known for his Hierarchy of Needs.((Highgate Counseling Center: Maslow's hierarchy of needs)) This is a pyramid that starts with the broadest category of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Then he moves on to a sense of security. The next need in this pyramid is love and relationships, followed by respect and self-respect. All of these advances fall into the category of self-actualization. This should be the end goal. From bottom to top, these needs are ranked from most important to least important for effective learning.
What are the goals of the theory of humanism in teaching?
If the theory of humanism were to be boiled down to one goal, it would support each person in their own element, style and individuality. This goal is further divided into many others. It is aimed at the benefit of the entire community, not just one person. Emotional learning, self-esteem, kindness for all, and broadly positivity concepts are what humanism emphasizes. In addition, it aims to produce successful people who are capable in their field. In fact, if you look closely, many successful people practice humanism.
How to learn with the theory of humanism
The theory of humanism is a very optimistic approach. An idealistic approach, although perhaps difficult to fully implement. However, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow offered a convenient route for learners to follow. No matter what skill or category of knowledge you want to acquire, by doing research on these two humanists, you can greatly improve your learning.
1. Learning free borders
First, there is the approach proposed by Carl Rogers. Since this saves students from setting all sorts of boundaries, you have the freedom to create your own learning plan. Since you are not experts, you can take the help of a teacher who will facilitate your learning progress. But, you can have complete control over how, when and what to learn. If you are interested in learning a foreign language, you should definitely consult with an expert in the language. However, the pace of learning, what aspects of the language you want to learn, how busy the schedule should be, and other such factors the process can be planned for by you.
2. Prioritizing Personal Needs
One of the main components of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is self-actualization. You can achieve self-actualization by doing the following simple exercises. Self-actualization is the highest goal in this pyramid. This is the main goal you should aim for. Therefore, once you get on the path to achieving self-realization, you will find your learning process automatically falls in line with the rest of the theory. It's like a "domino effect"; once you get on the right track, the rest will be a piece of cake because your mind starts to move forward along the same pattern on its own. A hierarchy of needs can be used to prioritize the needs of each individual student so that the process runs smoothly and produces effective results. You can ensure your health, comfort and emotional stability before moving on from training. For example, you can put off in music class until you find a comfortable place to sit if that's your priority.
Final Thoughts
Humanism puts most of the control in the hands of the students. While this may bring certain disadvantages, it is actually quite effective in the case of a career counseling person. Freedom along with responsibility guarantees effective training to encourage personality traits to overcome weakness!
Additional Learning Tips
- Effective learning theory (and how to benefit from them)
- 9 Effective Teaching Habits to Smart Learners
- 6 Common Types of Learners (with learning hacks for each)