Personality

Humanistic Perspective
Carl Rogers
Carl Rogers (1902-1987) was a very influential psychologist. He developed a theory that says
that we can understand a person by examining how he or she views his or her own self.

Put simply, how we react to the world depends on how we see our own self- that is, our own
self-concept- and whether we are comfortable and honest about the type of person we are.

Rogers believed that becoming the best we can be (self- actualising) and having a positive view
on our lives, depends to a large extent on how we are treated by other important people, in our
lives. We are more likely to develop a positive self -concept, and to be well-adjusted in life if we
receive unconditional positive regard from others who are important to us.

Unconditional positive regard means being given affection, acceptance and love without having
to live up to the other person’s expectations of us. It is OK to be yourself.

Think about Dan, Soo & Bob (open Maslow’s scenarios). Do you think they are well-adjusted?
Do you think each receives unconditional positive regard from important people in their lives?
Explain.

Dan:

Soo:

Bob:
A second aspect of Roger’s theory suggests that we are most likely to be happy and well
adjusted when we experience congruence between our self-concept and our true self. This
means that we think we are what our actions and experiences show we are.

Lacking

congruence can lead to anxiety in your life.

What about Dan, Soo and Bob? Do you think each of them has congruence of lacks
congruence? Is their self-concept consistent with their true-self?