Humanist Orientation Research Papers

The humanist orientation understands a human potential for growth better than cognitive theories. The core idea of a humanist understanding is the conviction that human beings have the ability to control their own destiny, and can encourage themselves toward learning. There is a hierarchy of needs written by Abraham Maslow, in which self-actualization occupies the top position. Likewise, Carl Rogers argues that learning stems from within the individual. He claims that such learning includes five important characteristics: personal involvement, self-initiated, pervasive, evaluated by the learner, essence is meaning. Humanism is particularly applicable to adult learning. It is aware of the facts that at this level of education, the desire for the realization of a person’s full potential, the desire to learn, is the primary desire. However, the placement of self-improvement at the top can also be viewed as the main drawback in humanist orientation. Motivations are not always connatural, and as a rule can be ascribed to baser factors. Another limitation is the elimination of both content and professionalism from the teaching/learning process because of Rogers’ concept of open education. Still, it should be stressed that the humanist orientation remains the most appropriate for adult education.