How is humanism best described?

Humanism is best described as the belief that people are inherently good. This perspective emphasizes the intrinsic value and potential of individuals, asserting that, given the right conditions, people will strive for self-actualization and personal growth. Humanistic psychology focuses on individual experience and the subjective nature of human existence, fostering the idea that people can choose to improve themselves and lead fulfilling lives.

Key proponents of this approach, such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, underscored the importance of personal agency, self-reflection, and the pursuit of meaningful experiences. By viewing individuals as fundamentally good, humanism emphasizes nurturing positive aspects of human nature rather than merely addressing dysfunction or pathology, which is often the focus of other psychological theories.

In contrast, the other options suggest different psychological frameworks or beliefs that do not align with the central principles of humanistic thought. For instance, a psychological theory focusing on abnormalities would not emphasize the inherent goodness of individuals, while an approach primarily concerned with social behavior would prioritize social contexts over individual potential. Likewise, a belief in strict determinism is contradictory to humanism, which values personal choice and autonomy in shaping one's life.