In humanistic psychology, how is mental illness typically viewed?

• A. In humanistic psychology, mental illness is viewed as a barrier to self-actualization and congruence; therapy aims to restore growth and authentic functioning.
• B. Primarily caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.
• C. A product of punishment and conditioning.
• D. A purely cognitive distortion to be restructured.

Answer: (C)

Mental illness in humanistic psychology is seen as a disruption to personal growth, specifically an incongruence between the self-concept and one’s experiences that blocks authentic functioning. The aim of therapy is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment that helps a person move toward self-acceptance, clarity, and genuine self-expression, enabling growth toward their real potential. This approach emphasizes subjective experience and the process of becoming more authentic and integrated.

The other views come from different theoretical traditions: seeing mental illness as caused by chemical imbalances aligns with biological perspectives; framing it as the result of punishment and conditioning fits behaviorist ideas; and treating it as purely cognitive distortions aligns with cognitive therapy. In the humanistic view, the focus is on growth, congruence, and authentic functioning rather than solely on biology, learned behavior, or thought restructuring.