Toward the application of general systems theory in humanistic psychology

Abstract

Humanistic psychology arose in reaction to the restrictive paradigms of behaviorism and orthodox psychoanalysis. However, humanisitic psychology has yet to provide a consistent philosophical and methodological framework for the development and evaluation of models, methods, research, theories and therapies. Additionally, there exists no commonly shared structure for the translation and communication of intuitive recognitions and clinical findings. General systems theory olTers acomprehensive methodology, rooted in the natural sciences, which may be applied to clarify and communicate many aspects of humanistic psychology. This paper demonstrates the common philosophical perspectives ofgeneral systems theory and humanistic psychology, describes general systems theory in terms of the challenges to humanistic psychology, and presents the concerns expressed by humanistic psychologists regarding the use of general systems theory. Selected areas are discussed in detail : the unity of mental and physical processes; the phenomenologically-based views of experience that encompass conscious. unconscious and transpersonal dimensions ; and the growth paradigms of personal change described by such concepts as eqmfinality, anamorphosis and differentiation. Also, the humanistic psychologist is urged to be wary of inappropriate methodologies that complicate, rather than clarify, the issues at hand, and directions for future research are outlined.

The Heart of Humanistic Psychology

“…This is why we refuse to permit the narrowing of the meaning of a person to merely a label such as a mental health diagnosis (Bradford, 2010; Kramer & Buck, 1997). This is why humanistic psychology is drawn to holistic approaches that understand the person to be more than the sum of his or her cognitive, behavioral, and anatomical parts (Buhler, 1971; Krippner, Ruttenberg, Engleman, & Granger, 1985; Miller, 1991; Robbins, 2005, 2006). This is why we understand that the person, while situated always within an interpersonal context, is not reducible to mere social meanings—no person is just-nothing-but a social construction (Bott, 2002; Brinkmann, 2006; Halling & Lawrence, 1999).…”

Pursuing a unifying paradigm for psychotherapy: Tasks, dialectical considerations, and biopsychosocial systems metatheory.

“…2 In thus incorporating subjective experience within its purview, systems theory concurrently integrates essential phenomena that infuse the realm of personal subjectivity, for example, intentionality, purpose, and meaning (cf. Krippner, Ruttenber, Engelman, & Granger, 1985).…”

Telling the new story: Darwin, evolution, and creativity versus conformity in science.

“…THE GREAT ADVENTURE Nudging at prevailing paradigms for psychology, forcing new thought, this was a time of maximal ferment for chaos theory, cybernetics, brain research, and systems science. In the midst of all these currents for thinking about evolution and the challenge lying ahead for our species, in 1985, along with three of his students, psychologist Stanley Krippner published a paper that, in retrospect, became of historic importance (Krippner, Rutenber, Engelman, & Granger, 1985). Although Krippner was at the time a former president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology (or HP) and a founding member of the HP-launched Saybrook Graduate School, the paper escaped the notice of all but a handful of us in the emergent field of evolutionary systems science.…”