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Abstract

A philosophy of humanism provides a valuational base for the activities of applied behavioral scientists. The historical roots of the humanistic orientation are traced and contrasted with the normative orientation in Western thought. Implications of this philosophy for development of social change agents lead to speculation regarding training programs; and the outline of a model for such a training program is presented. Abuses of the humanistic perspective within the behavioral sciences, nascent in current attempts to implement humanistically oriented training programs, become manifest as a generalized fear of control, a movement toward anarchy, and a narrowing anti-intellectualism. Amelioration of these dangers should enhance the future actualization of a humanistic model in applied behavioral science.

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Humanism and the Training of Applied Behavioral Scientists

Abstract

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References