Humanistic Approach to Media

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The nature of the humanistic approach means that the observer must look beyond what he is seeing and go into the subject’s background and delve into motives. For example, Steve-O on the surface seems to the lay person like he is attention-seeking; however there is more to him. He considers himself an entertainer and even went to clown college – he considers what he does an art. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, by doing what he does, he is achieving (the stage of ‘esteem needs’). This is most obviously seen by the fact that he went to college but also something which he briefly says after the crocodile-challenge. When asked why he fell from the tightrope, he said that he didn’t know how but “could learn” – this epitomises the stage he needs to entertain and will thus do things such as burning his hair to entertain. This isn’t a cry for attention but some realises their unique potential and is acting toward it.

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With Raab, there is a development – he has satisfied the needs of one stage and gone ‘up’ the hierarchy. His background is that of a lack of love – Bam’s parents were more like parents to him. This meant that he was on the ‘belongingness and love needs’ stage and this would explain some of his behaviours: defecating on school property and being expelled. This also seems to be present in his Jackass days where he seeks acceptance. However, once he satisfies this level, he moves up in the esteem needs where he moves forward with achievement in ...

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