Carl Rogers

Carl Ransom Rogers (January 8, 1902 - February 4, 1987) was an influential American psychologist and a pioneer in humanistic psychology, renowned for his development of person-centered psychotherapy. Rogers is widely recognized as a founding figure in psychotherapy research and was celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions, receiving the Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1956.

Theory

Self-Actualization

Rogers believed that every individual harbors an innate drive to grow and fulfill their potential. He viewed this pursuit of self-actualization as a fundamental motivator of human behavior.

Development of the Self

Rogers believed that the development of a healthy self-concept is a continual process shaped by individual life experiences. Individuals with a secure sense of self generally exhibit greater confidence and resilience in managing life's challenges. According to Rogers, the formation of self-concept begins in childhood and is significantly influenced by parental upbringing. Parents who provide unconditional love and acceptance are more likely to nurture a positive self-concept in their children. Conversely, children who feel they must earn their parents' affection may struggle with low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Rogers proposed that for psychotherapy to be effective, it was crucial for the therapist to offer unconditional positive regard to the client. This entails the therapist accepting the client completely, enabling them to freely express both positive and negative emotions without fear of judgment or criticism.

Fully functioning person

Rogers proposed that individuals who consistently pursue their inherent drive for self-actualization could achieve what he termed as being fully-functioning. Such a person is characterized by complete congruence and a profound presence in the present moment. Rogers viewed optimal development as a dynamic process rather than a fixed state. He referred to this state as the "good life," where individuals will continuously strive to realize their fullest potential.
Rogers also outlined the key traits of a fully functioning person:
1.Becoming more open to new experiences: they are less defensive and no longer rely on subconscious strategies to keep troubling thoughts from their awareness.
2.Embracing an existential lifestyle more fully: experiencing each moment authentically without forcing it to conform to a predefined personality or self-image, but instead letting these aspects naturally emerge from the experience itself. This approach fosters excitement, courage, flexibility, tolerance, spontaneity, and a sense of openness, all rooted in trust.
3.Growing organismic trust: they increasingly rely on their own judgment and ability to decide how to behave in any situation. Instead of strictly following established rules or social norms, they trust that by staying open to new experiences, they can confidently determine what is right or wrong for themselves.
4.Freedom of choice: liberated from the constraints that someone who is not aligned with themselves, they can make a broader range of decisions more easily. They believe they have a say in how they behave and therefore take responsibility for their actions.
5.Creativity: they feel more liberated to express their creativity. They are also more inventive in how they adapt to situations, without feeling pressured to conform.
6.Reliability and constructive behavior: they are dependable in acting positively. A person who is open to all their needs can maintain a healthy balance, addressing even aggressive impulses with an underlying intrinsic goodness in consistent individuals.
7.A fulfilling life: Rogers portrays the fully functioning person's life as abundant, stimulating, and vibrant, they will feel joy and sorrow, love and heartache, fear and bravery more deeply.

Incongruity

"Rogers suggests that individuals often hold an image of their 'ideal self,' which is an unrealistic and unattainable standard. This creates a gap between how they see themselves ('I am') and how they think they should be ('I should'), which Rogers termed as incongruity. However, he believed that through receiving unconditional positive regard and striving for self-actualization, people can approach a state of harmony between their real and ideal selves."

For contributions to psychology

Carl Rogers, with his focus on human potential, wielded significant influence in psychology and education. Widely regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century.

Learner-centered teaching

Person-centered therapy

Publications

Rogers, Carl, and Carmichael, Leonard (1939). The Clinical Treatment of the Problem Child. Boston. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Rogers, Carl (1942). Counseling and Psychotherapy: Newer Concepts in Practice. Boston. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Rogers, Carl (1951). Client-Centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications, and Theory. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Rogers, Carl, and Farson, Richard (1957). Active Listening. Author's Republic.
Rogers, Carl (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Rogers, Carl (1978). Carl Rogers on Personal Power: Inner Strength and Its Revolutionary Impact.
Rogers, Carl (1980). A Way of Being. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Rogers, Carl (1989). L'approche centrée sur la personne.
Rogers, Carl (1989). The Carl Rogers Reader. HarperOne.
Rogers, Carl, and Stevens, B. (1967). Person to Person: The Problem of Being Human. Lafayette, CA: Real People Press.
Rogers, Carl, Lyon, Harold C., & Tausch, Reinhard (2013). On Becoming an Effective Teacher—Person-centered Teaching, Psychology, Philosophy, and Dialogues with Carl R. Rogers and Harold Lyon. London: Routledge.

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