Humanism and How it Shapes the Learning Environment

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” This quote, attributed to management guru Peter Drucker, applies to health care and education as much as it does to any other industry. The culture of the learning environment may affect learner engagement, success and satisfaction in many ways. Humanism in modern education traces its roots to the 1960 teachings of psychologist Carl Rogers, among other notable psychologists of the era, who believed that “for a person to grow, they need an environment that provides them with genuineness (openness and self-disclosure), acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard), and empathy (being listened to and understood).” Arthur Combs notes that a humanistic culture acknowledges that “unique dignity lies in [the student’s] critical reason, moral sensitivity, creative imagination, autonomous will, and unique personality.” It prioritizes these dignities and supports the freedom to explore and take risks without fear of intellectual oppression or intimidation. At Pacific’s Dugoni School, a commitment to humanism has informed the learning environment since the mid-1970s. Students, staff, faculty and patients cite this culture as greatly important to their learning work and patient care