An Overview of the Nativism-oriented Psychology and Education

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Abstract

The pioneers of the humanist movement or the third force, particularly Abraham Maslow, rejected the views of the first and second force, i.e. behaviorism and psychoanalysis. They adopted a pretty optimistic view toward human beings and paid attention to personality development and perfection and cultivation of human beings' hidden talents. With new psychological studies, Maslow, the spiritual leader of this movement, hoped to talk of an elevated form of psychology that is beyond self in near future. This article reviews and analyzes the views based on basic methodology and library studies. There was negative answer to the fundamental research question: Has the humanism of the 20th century led by Maslow resolved psychological and educational issues and problems of the current and future generations? The reason is the basis of the thoughts in this movement is humanistic which ignore human's natural identity and their potential, innate capabilities and consider the external factors involved in human upbringing. Nativism-oriented psychology and education with its hierarchy of human development was the answer to the second research question: Can we have a basic psychological and educational system which is culture-free and provides answer to psychological and educational issues of all human beings? There was also a positive answer to third research question: Can there be a nativism-oriented hierarchy which delineates stages of human development? The author believes there can be a new outlook on human beings by revising and completing humanistic theories. Drawing inspiration from Islamic principles and the theories of prominent Muslim figures like Molavi, the author has proposed nativism-oriented psychology and education as an introduction to the new theory. It is not limited to any specific time period or place and meets the human needs. It also fulfills Maslow's dream who hoped for a sympathetic and affectionate nativism-oriented psychology which can explore deep recesses and extreme points of human nativism. It seems applying this theory not only paves the way for reaching mental health and healthy personality but also helps humanity rise to peaks of development and perfection

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