Behaviorism was criticized for its preoccupation with the study of simple animal behavior. Both theories were criticized because they suggested that people are not masters of their own destinies. Above all, many people argued, both schools of thoughtfailed to recognize the unique qualities of human behavior. In psychology, humanism is a theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth . Some of the key differences between the humanistic, psychoanalytic, and behavioral viewpoints are summarized in Table 1.2, which compares five influential contemporary theoretical perspectives in psychology.
Humanists take an optimistic view of human nature.
They maintain that people are not pawns of either their animal heritage or environmental circumstances. Furthermore, they say, because humans are fundamentally different from other animals, research on animals has little relevance to the understanding of human behavior. They asserted that people have a basic need to continue to evolve as human beings and to fulfill their potentials. In fact, the humanists argued that many psychological disturbances are the result of thwarting these uniquely human needs. The humanists' greatest contribution to psychology has been their innovative treatments for psychological problems and disorders.