Humanistic Contributions for Psychology 101

Book excerpt: Humanistic Contributions to Psychology 101 is the first of its kind: a supplemental text cataloging the major contributions of humanistic psychology often not included in general psychology courses or textbooks. The book mirrors a standard Introduction to Psychology textbook with chapters covering the typical topics while focusing on humanistic contributions: History and Methods, Sensation and Perception, Memory, Personality, and Psychotherapy, amongst others. Endorsed by five presidents of the Society for Humanistic Psychology, this makes Humanistic Contributions to Psychology 101 an ideal supplementary textbook for introduction to psychology courses. The book is written in an easy to understand language utilizing an opening vignette or example that the chapter refers back to when a difficult concept arises. The subtitle-Growth, Choice, and Responsibility-highlights main themes of Humanistic Psychology that are seen throughout the book and particularly relevant to the contemporary times. Growth is the movement away from disease-based psychology toward a goal of psychological betterment. Choice refers to an emphasis on people making intentional decisions rather than being situationally or genetically determined respondents. Responsibility points toward the ability to take control of one's actions and own them as well as recognizing oneself as an important contributor to one's community. Humanistic Contributions for Psychology 101 is a remarkable book in terms of clarity, scope, and community building. Whether looking for an introduction to humanistic psychology or to discover how humanistic psychology has contributed to the major topics in the field, this book is an important contribution to the field.