Carl Rogers' Personality Theory and Therapy

What was Carl Rogers' original career aspiration?

What was the primary focus of Carl Rogers' therapeutic approach?

What was the evolution of Carl Rogers' therapy?

What was a key tenet of Carl Rogers' theory of counseling?

What position did Carl Rogers hold in the American Psychological Association?

What was Carl Rogers' stance on research in psychology?

What is the primary difference between humans and other living beings in terms of the actualizing tendency?

According to Rogers, what is necessary for a person to become fully functioning or self-actualizing?

What is the ideal self, according to Rogers?

What is the primary function of the actualizing tendency, according to Rogers?

What is the relationship between the self-concept and change, according to Rogers?

What is the difference between awareness and ignored or denied experiences, according to Rogers?

Carl Rogers' Life and Theories

Wanted to be a scientific farmer, but changed to pursue a career in Psychology
Developed a humanistic theory of personality based on his experiences as a practicing psychotherapist
Founded Client-Centered therapy, focusing on the client-therapist relationship
Minimized the importance of labeling disorders, instead emphasizing growth and self-actualization

Basic Assumptions of Rogers' Theory

Formative Tendency: all matter, organic and inorganic, evolves from simpler to more complex forms
Actualizing Tendency: humans and other living beings strive for completion, fulfillment, and self-actualization
- Involves the need for maintenance (similar to Maslow's hierarchy of needs) and enhancement (developing and growing beyond current self-concept)

Self and Actualization

People have the creative power to solve problems, alter their self-concepts, and become increasingly self-directed
Plants and animals have an actualizing tendency, but only humans have a concept of self and potential for self-actualization
Three conditions necessary for becoming a fully functioning person: congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy

Subsystems of the Self

Self-Concept: includes all aspects of one's being and experiences perceived in awareness (not always accurate)
Ideal Self: one's view of self as one wishes to be, containing aspired positive attributes

Incongruence and Unhealthy Personality

Incongruence: discrepancy between the self-concept and ideal self
Levels of Awareness:
- Ignored: experiences not attended to (e.g., walking down a busy street)
- Denied: experiences hidden from conscious awareness (e.g., mother's anger and resentment towards her children)

Learn about the life and work of Carl Rogers, founder of Client-Centered therapy, and his humanistic approach to personality theory. Discover his views on empirical research and his focus on helping people.