- These theories are too subjective and vague. In terms of Maslow's description of self-actualization in which individuals at this level are open, loving, spontaneous, and productive, these characteristics could be just reflections of his own values and morals. These theories objective enough to study and measure humanistic behaviors and patterns.
- The individualism aspect that the humanistic approach advocates leads to selfishness and moral decay. If someone is more focused on bettering themselves, they are less concerned with how their choices affect those around them. Those who put their focus on others instead of themselves tend to enjoy life more as well as cope with stress more effectively.
- Another criticism is that these theories are naïve and fail to understand human capacity for evil. For example, in the face of terrorism, humanistic theories may deny this threat or fall into despair. By denying the threat, these theories support that people in general are good and will not do bad. By falling into despair, they seem to ask the question, “Why try?” as if it's hopeless to stop this evil
Citations:
Kendra, C. (n.d.). What Is Humanistic Psychology. About.com Psychology. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/hist_humanistic.htm
Myers, D. (2010). Module 47: Contemporary Research on Personality. Psychology In Modules, 9th Edition (). New York: Worth Publishers.