Humanistic theory of Personality: Carl Rogers

Introduction

 Roger’s theory is referred to as the ‘Self theory of personality’.

 He emphasizes on subjective experiences as well as personal
views of the world and self.
 He calls this ‘internal frame of reference’.
 A person responds to events in accordance with how he perceives
and interprets them.

The Self

 Everything that a person sees as their own in the process of

interpersonal and social experiences are being incorporated as
the self.
 For example- If one is told that one is a handsome person, one
tends to include it in the concept of one’s self.
 Once the self concept is formed, whatever is consistent with the
self concept is readily accepted and whatever threatens the image
may be totally ignored and buried deep in the unconscious.
 Self has three major aspects
 The personal self- This includes physical, behavioral and
psychological characteristics that make one unique.
 The social self- This refers to how one believes that others
see them. Personal self at times contradicts social self.
 The ideal self- This refers to idealized images of what one
would like to be. Often the ideal self clashes with the real
self. Lesser the gap between the personal (real) self and
ideal self [Congruence] happier and more adjusted a person
 will be. Greater the gap between the personal (real) self and
the ideal self [Incongruence], poorly adjusted and disturbed
a person will be.

 According to Rogers, to cope with the anxiety of incongruence

between real and ideal self, an individual often changes the
perception of reality to make it consistent with the self concept.
 Distortion- A girl who has a self-concept of being very
independent, but is over-protected by her parents might
perceive the parents’ behavior as normal parental love.
 Denial- A girl refuses to acknowledge the fact that due to
her parents’ overprotective behavior, she is losing her
independence.
Unconditional positive regard

 Self concept depends on several factors that involve interaction

with the environment.
 First, there is a need for ‘positive regard’. The child will sacrifice
anything for its satisfaction. Positive regard results from approval
from others. According to Rogers, distortions in self concept takes
place as we are reared in an environment of conditional positive
regard (also known as conditions of worth), i.e. we learn to
behave in ways other than what we really are in order to be loved
and accepted.
 In addition the child develops need for ‘positive self regard’, i.e.
an approval from the self. One must gain approval not only from
others but also from the self.
 Rogers added that what is ultimately required for healthy
development of personality is unconditional positive regard, i.e.,
total and genuine love and respect regardless of who the person
is. It suggests that an individual’s respect as a human being must
be upheld above everything.

Actualizing tendency

 According to Rogers, all behavior is energized and directed by a

single unitary motive which is called actualizing tendency.
 This represents the inherent tendency of an organism to develop
all his inborn capacities.
 This tendency motivates a person to move towards positivity.
Fully functioning person

 This refers to psychologically healthy person who live life to the

fullest. A person who has expressed their capabilities, potentials
and talents to the fullest extent possible.
 They are spontaneous people, trust their own feelings, sensitive
and do not feel pressurized to conform to the society’s rules.
 They have regrets for their wrong actions, but their lives are
channelized by constructive impulses.
 They do not lose touch with their values and feelings and
experience life more deeply than most other people.

Criticism

 The subjective orientation is strongly favoured in the field of

therapy where subjects feel free to express themselves.
 Many concepts, like fully functioning person are loosely explained
and not properly defined.