How does the humanistic perspective differ from the behaviorist perspective?

The humanistic perspective significantly emphasizes the concepts of free will and personal growth, distinguishing it from the behaviorist perspective. Humanists believe that individuals have the innate ability to make choices and pursue self-actualization, which is the realization of one’s potential and the quest for personal development. This school of thought underscores the importance of subjective experiences and the individual’s capacity for self-reflection, making it inherently focused on the internal aspects of human psychology.

In contrast, the behaviorist perspective centers on observable behaviors and environmental influences, often excluding consideration of internal mental states or emotions. This approach is rooted in the idea that all behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment, fundamentally negating the notion of free will and personal growth as articulated by humanistic psychologists. As a result, the behaviorist perspective does not account for the subjective experiences or the emotional facets of human existence which are crucial in humanistic thought.

Overall, the defining focus on free will and personal growth in the humanistic perspective serves as a foundational element that sets it apart from behaviorism, which is more concentrated on external observable behaviors and environmental conditioning.