Early humanism was directed against religious dogma, whereas during the first half of this century, humanism developed as a protest against behaviorism. The major argument posited by humanists against behaviorism is that it is too narrow in viewing behavior as exclusively controlled by environment. In a similar vein, humanists view psychoanalysis and the concept of people being dominated by irrational forces as limited in explaining human nature. Overt behavior is secondary to the experience itself and its meaning to the individual. Humanistic theories emphasize human qualities such as choice, creativity, and valuation, rather than viewing individuals in mechanistic terms.
Humanists are committed to meaningfulness when selecting research topics.
They are reluctant to emphasize objectivity at the expense of significance. Humanists value the dignity and worth of man and are concerned with development of the potential inherent in every individual. Humanists propose a positive optimistic picture of the human family and consider the nature of children as one of positive striving. Development of a sense of self is another important concept addressed by humanists. Abraham Maslow is perhaps the name most often associated with humanism.