Meaning of humanistic paradigm (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Humanist Paradigm:

The humanist paradigm is a trend that emphasizes the significance, value and dignity of people to enhance their activity, freedom and autonomy.

The humanistic paradigm emerges as a new school that requires a change of roles in terms of education so that the child is free to create affective learning.

In psychopedagogy, humanists promote flexible and open teaching where the experience and clinical work of psychology is extrapolated to the educational field. In this sense, the objectives of educational processes are considered to be therapeutic, therefore, education is a therapeutic activity in itself.

This paradigm takes up the conceptions of existentialism where the personality is formed through man's own choices as an elective agent.

In turn, the humanistic paradigm is also based on phenomenology by emphasizing the role that human consciousness plays on its experiential reality from an internal or external perception, all of which are subjective events.

The precursor authors of the humanist paradigm, especially in the field of psychology, define three fundamental aspects for the understanding of the theory: personality, the therapeutic relationship and meaningful learning.

The American psychologist Abraham Maslow defines the therapeutic relationship between therapist-patient or teacher-student as a motivational link towards learning and the change that arises from a tendency towards self-realization.

Maslow's therapeutic relationship is a deepening of his model of human motivation illustrated in what is known as Maslow's pyramid, the apex of which is self-actualization.

On the other hand, significant learning is defined in the psychotherapeutic theory of the psychologist Carl Rogers in 1961, where he states that participation is the most effective method of learning, therefore, the individual's social context must be considered.

Characteristics of the humanist paradigm

The humanist paradigm is characterized by its application in the area of ​​education to form a healthy, free and autonomous person.

Humanists believe that the basis of educational decisions must meet the needs of each individual. They give personal knowledge as much value as public knowledge.

In turn, they take into account the development of each individual, but respecting the development of other individuals in this process. The educational program suggested by the humanist paradigm must contribute to creating a sense of importance and value for all the individuals involved.

Humanists consider the teacher as just another individual, therefore their attitude should not be directive but facilitating. The humanist paradigm follows the precepts of humanism that was born in the fifteenth century.

Humanistic paradigm in education

The humanistic paradigm in education recognizes pedagogy as a therapeutic activity in which the individual is transformed into a healthy person.

Humanists consider a person to be healthy when he has a superior perception of reality; he maintains a growing acceptance of himself, of others, and of nature; has the ability to adequately face problems; She is autonomous, independent and spontaneous and is willing to live the changes and implications that life presents to her.

American psychologist Carl Rogers (1902-1987) considers significant learning to be one that takes into account the affective and cognitive factors of the individual, which through experiential or participatory learning creates personal commitment.

In this sense, humanistic psychopedagogy suggests extolling the responsibility and commitment of the student through, for example, research, project development and peer tutoring. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for self-assessment for real and meaningful engagement.

Teaching techniques and methods must be based on the construction of problems perceived as real, the proportion of differential resources, group experiences and didactic materials, use of contracts to print real responsibility in freedom and teamwork.

Radical humanist paradigm

In the social sciences and in sociology, the radical humanist paradigm presents politics as the cause of personal problems. The goal of radical humanists or conscientizers is to raise awareness and understanding of the problem by subjugated groups in society and to get them to take control over services through the promotion of self-help groups.