| This theoretical dissertation seeks to identify and expand some of the core concepts in humanistic psychological theory through a content analysis of humanistic literature and related sources. The purpose of this process is to explore how humanistic theory may become relevant to communities that share vastly different socioeconomic, political, and ecological circumstances than people who have primarily become familiar with humanistic theory through individual counseling or academic inquiry. It is argued that humanistic psychology's principles of emancipation and positive growth provide a useful framework for community development. In the process of analysis, eight thematic categories emerged: Fundamental Human Needs, Freedom, Process of Change, Empathy, Cognitive Understanding and Awareness, Interconnection, Responsibility, and Ethic of Care. The resulting categories are applied to community development in Guatemala, notably to the researcher's case study of Association Ija'tz, a Maya community in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. |
