In order to develop a fruitful synthesis of the two approaches, we must first identify their basic concepts and understand well about their strengths and limitations. Therefore, in the following, I will compare and contrast the two approaches to make sure that a comprehensive understanding of them can be achieved. Five dimensions of the approaches are taken to account.

Apart from the different view on human nature, the basic concepts of the two therapies also vary in some way. According to the humanistic approach, mental health is a congruence of ideal self and real self so the maladjustment is due to the discrepancy between the two selves. A successful therapy can be achieved when the clients can identify their problems and use the insights to be the means to resolve it. Whereas behaviorists state that abnormal or maladaptive behavior is the consequence of faulty learning. Therefore, their therapy is based on the principles of learning theory together with specific goals and plans developed by both the therapists and the clients. Although the therapy of the two approaches is diverse, they still share one common at least. They both focus on the present moment and present behavior. Both approaches do not aim at tracing back the past experiences or past memories.

I totally agree upon the idea that “combining behavioristic methods with humanistic values leads to a synthesis of the best attributes of both approaches”. However, it is irrational to pull techniques from many sources without a sound rationale because it can only result in syncretistic confusion (Lazarus, 1986, 1996b). We should be always “alert to the problem of attempting to mix theories with incompatible underlying assumptions” when we want to develop a synthesis of two or more approaches (Corey, 2001). Taking the above synthesis as an example, we should adopt the basic philosophy and concept from the humanistic approach and use those behavioral techniques to work out the humanistic therapy.

Some topics in this essay:
American Heritage, Watson Tharp, Carl Rogers, , behavior therapy, humanistic therapy, humanistic therapists, human nature, behavior therapists, view human nature, therapeutic techniques, view human, therapeutic goals, therapists clients, basic concepts, congruence ideal self, health congruence ideal, mental health congruence, empathic understanding clients,