What is the Difference Between Humanism and Behaviorism?

Humanism and behaviorism are two distinct psychological approaches that differ in their focus, methods, and assumptions. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Focus: Behaviorism concentrates on observable actions and external behavior of individuals, while humanism emphasizes the study of the whole individual, including inner feelings and mental processes.
2. Assumptions: Behaviorism assumes that learning is a passive and conditionable process, influenced by external stimuli and rewards. Humanism, on the other hand, believes that each person is unique and has the free will to change their life at any point.
3. Methods: Behaviorism uses scientific and objective methods of investigation, such as experiments and controlled studies. Humanism relies on more qualitative studies, like open-ended questions and unstructured interviews.
4. Goals: Behaviorists aim to produce specific and measurable outcomes that reflect the desired behavior, while humanists aim to foster personal growth and fulfillment that reflect the learner's potential.
5. Therapeutic Approach: Behavioral therapists are directive, defining behavioral consequences that can be changed to increase desired behavior and decrease undesired behavior. Humanistic therapists, such as Carl Rogers, developed a non-directive approach, focusing on discovering a client's personal perceptions, motives, and self-concept.

In summary, behaviorism and humanism are two different psychological approaches with distinct focuses, assumptions, methods, and goals. While behaviorism prioritizes observable actions and external behavior, humanism focuses on the individual as a whole, including their inner feelings and mental processes.

Comparative Table: Humanism vs Behaviorism

Here is a table comparing humanism and behaviorism:

In summary, humanism focuses on the inner state, emotions, and self-actualization of individuals, while behaviorism concentrates on the external behavior of individuals and environmental factors. Humanism takes a subjective and holistic approach, looking at the individual as a whole, whereas behaviorism is objective and focused on measurable actions and interactions with the environment. Humanist learning is self-directed and emphasizes personal interpretation, evaluation, reasoning, and decision-making, while behaviorist learning is dependent on environmental factors and reinforcements. Humanism believes in the basic dignity and worth of each individual and assumes humans are agents of their own fate, while behaviorism assumes human behavior is heavily dependent on environmental factors. Key theorists in humanism include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, while notable theorists in behaviorism are John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner.