Division 32 (Humanistic Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, has the following mission:

"Humanistic psychology aims to be faithful to the full range of human experience. Its foundations include philosophical humanism, existentialism, and phenomenology. In the science and profession of psychology, humanistic psychology seeks to develop systematic and rigorous methods of studying human beings, and to heal the fragmentary character of contemporary psychology through an ever more comprehensive and integrative approach. Humanistic psychologists are particularly sensitive to uniquely human dimensions, such as experiences of creativity and transcendence, and to the quality of human welfare. Accordingly, humanistic psychology aims especially at contributing to psychotherapy, education, theory, philosophy of psychology, research methodology, organization and management, and social responsibility and change."

Basic principles of Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology has a few basic principles.

1. Psychology should avoid reductionism

Humanistic psychologists reject reductionism. In other words, this approach to psychology rejects the assumption that the best way to understand someone is to reduce their behavior and/or mind to something simpler and more basic. For example, a humanistic psychologist would take issue with the claim that love for a child can be reduced in meaning to being merely the effects of the hormone oxytocin without at that moment losing something essential about what it means to love.

2. Psychology requires an appreciation for what is uniquely human.

Humanistic psychology emerged at a time when most research in psychology was conducted on non-human animals. Rats, pidgeons, etc. Humanistic psychologists pointed out the obvious fact that humans are different than animals, and if you want to understand people, you have to study people.

3. Psychology needs to include both first-person and third-person accounts of psychological phenomena.

At a time when everyone else seemed to be denying the relevance of first-person conscious experience, humanistic psychologists championed this approach. Today, with the cognitive revolution, this is much more common than it was when humanistic psychology started -- when both the behaviorists and the psychoanalysts completely rejected the value of self-reported data. But humanistic psychologists was fighting for the inclusion of first-person evidence in psychology before it was fashionable to do so.

4. Choice and responsibility are essential constituents of human existence.

Humanistic psychologists emphasize that the ability to make choices and to assume responsiblity for one's choices is essential to what it means to be human. If we lost the ability to choose and to take responsibility, in other words, we'd be something less than human. In contrast to Skinner, psychology should NOT go beyond freedom and dignity, but instead should preserve it intact. This doesn't mean people can do whatever they please, but they can make choices within the limits of their capabilities and within the range of possibilities available to them in the world. Humanistic psychology rejects a completely deterministic psychology as a logical absurdity. Such an assertion necessary undermines itself (that is, it implies the assertion itself is determined, which renders it meaningless).

5. Human beings are intentional, goal-oriented and creative.

Humans are intentional -- we strive to meet goals, and those goals are not reducible to only basic survival needs. We strive to go beyond those basic goals to address existential meanings. In other words, we actually think and ponder about why we exist and how things work, even when it doesn't have pragmatic value. We can be creative for the sake of creativity.

6. Psychology must study optimal human functioning and not merely dysfunction.

At a time when psychology was focused either on the status quo or mental illness, humanistic psychology was the champion of a focus on optimal well-being and the science of the "fully functioning person." Today "positive psychology" is one of the most popular new trends in psychology, and this movement of psychology is a sub-field of humanistic psychology -- championing this principle of humanistic psychology, as well as the other principles stated above.

All who are interested in the mission of humanistic psychology, or those who are simply curious to learn more, are welcome to join the list and participate in the conversation. You need not be a member of Division 32 of APA in order to participate, but we encourage you to join the Division if you like what you see. Membership information is below.

Links of interest:
-- Division of Humanistic Psychology (Division 32) of American Psychological Association
-- Association for Humanistic Psychology
-- UK Association of Humanistic Psychology Practitioners

Division of Humanistic Psychology Membership Benefits
-- Receive quarterly journal, The Humanistic Psychologist
-- New members get a free book: "Personality and Personal Growth" by Fadiman and Frager -- a $115 value!!!
-- Participate in Division 32 email listserv
-- Get the Division 32 Newsletter
-- Become acquainted with some of the most accomplished psychologists and therapists on the North American continent. Opportunities for mentorship relations are available for graduate students and early career professionals.
-- Develop and maintain life-long friendships with people who share your interests and values. Moreover, the conversations that you have with Division 32 members will expand your view of psychology and its practices and thinking.
-- Meet accomplished authors who have made major contributions to the field of humanistic psychology and psychotherapy.
-- Make contact with people who are teaching in graduate programs to which you might apply, either as a faculty member or as a student.
-- Join Division 32 without joining APA, thus saving money if you do not wish to be an APA member.
-- Receive the opportunity to be mentored into board positions should you wish to become more actively involved. As a member of the board, you will have the opportunity to serve Division 32 and help it grow and evolve.
-- Contribute to the advancement of humanistic psychology and effect change in APA by engaging with members of other divisions and APA governance.

Membership Application Here