ABSTRACT
This chapter describes and contrasts two influential twentieth-century philosophies, one of which called itself "Humanism", to supply a context for developing individual beliefs and values. Behaviourism therefore focuses on outward, observable behaviours. Behaviourist theory enabled social control, so became influential when society valued a single, socially desirable, behaviour. Facts and ideas are quickly outdated, so are less valued by Humanists than the development of skills to enable personal growth and learning. Humanism and person-centred care have a weak research base, so acceptance or rejection of its philosophy remains largely subjective. Humanism also uses rewards and punishments but relies on internal ends, such as self-actualisation and individual conscience. Humanism emphasises inner values that distinguish people from animals, a "person-centred" philosophy. Rather than emphasising society's needs, Humanism emphasised the needs of the individual self. Humanism seeks to develop higher cognitive and affective skills to analyse issues according to individual needs, most valuable human interactions occurring above stimulus–response levels.
