Carl Rogers : A Humanistic Approach

I hereby will be focusing on Humanistic Perspectives by examining Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers’s theories. I will examine their theories, by starting with Carl Rogers’s theory then Abraham Maslow’s theory. I will also evaluate the human perspectives and apply Abraham Maslow’s theory to my own life.

Although the hierarchy of needs and Humanistic Psychology were innovative during it was and is still criticized today. One of such criticisms is self-actualization and that Maslow gave very ambiguous characteristics and examples of people he thought to be self-actualized. In addition, the hierarchy of needs is hard to prove scientifically. Self- actualization relies mostly on a person’s experience. Therefore, one can’t tell if an individual is self-actualized. However humanistic psychology changed the way human behavior was viewed during a time where behavioral psychology was more prevalent. This introduced a new way of

In the wake of psychoanalysis and behaviourism, humanistic psychology emerges as the "third force" in psychology led by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. This approach came about just before the cognitive

Humanistic theories emerged in 1950s. We have two types of humanistic theories, the first one is Person-centred theory by Carl Rogers which is based on how people see them-selves in relation to their personal experience and the second theory is Self-actualisation by Abraham Maslow which is based on the needs that motivate people. In this paper both theories will be described in detail and also they will be evaluated.

Humanistic perspective is a psychological perspective popularized by Carlo Rogers and Abraham Maslow that emphasizes the human capacity for choice and growth. This perspective offers a very positive viewpoint of human nature and potential. It suggests that we are each responsible for our own happiness and well-being as humans. “The humanistic approach emphasizes the personal worth of the individual, the centrality of human

Another strong influence of Rogers' model was Maslow's theory of self- actualisation. Maslow (1943) believed people are motivated to achieve certain needs that are not related to rewards. He developed a theory that people strive to ‘self-actualise’, to become the best they can be.

Sigmund Freud and Carl Rogers are two psychologists who developed theories on personalities. Sigmund Freud was known as the “Father of Psychoanalysis” and his well known theory stated that nearly all psychological issues went back to a sexual problem. Carl Rogers was a humanistic psychologist who researched the personality theory in the notion of the self or the self concept.

Carl R. Rogers constructed the person-centered theory by his influences of Elizabeth Davis and Frederick Allen who studied under Jessie Taft as well as Otto Rank and John Dewey (Patterson, 2007; Walsh, 2010). Influenced by Jessie Taft, Rogers adopted an optimistic view of people, individuals are capable of recreating themselves and are not the end products of their past (Patterson, 2007; Walsh, 2010). Otto Rank advocated that treatment of a client be centered around that client and that therapist be more emotionally involved within the process. Third Rogers was influenced by John Dewey who helped him understand and develop his position that self-actualized people live in harmony rather then conflict

Humanist Carl Rogers developed a theory that saw behavior motivated by what he called the actualizing tendency, the desire to preserve and enhance oneself through self-actualization. While persuing self- actualization we engage in the valuing process, where we go through various experiences that either enhance oneself and are valued as good, or, bad experiences not enhancing oneself which are avoided. Hence, how we handle this process relies on two interacting factors: the organism, our total perception of our experiences, and, the self, our image of ourselves. A major decisive factor is childhood experience and the positive regard that is engrossed. Rogers also developed a technique called client-centered therapy. In an accepting atmosthere the patient confronts inconsistent feelings and experiences, where self and organism are brought back into congruence. Now free from their troubles they can proceed with

1) While viewing the session between Carl Rodgers and Gloria, I was able to notice a few techniques used by Rodgers that are unique to the humanistic approach. Rodgers believed in using person-centered therapy, which involves using skills such as empathy while listening to the client. Rodgers demonstrates this when he begins the session by assuring Gloria he is there to thoughtfully listen to her concerns as well as help her to work through them. Another visible trait of Rodgers’ humanistic approach was the way he often retold or summarized what Gloria had said to him. This allowed Gloria to reflect back on her statements and delve deeper into the roots of her issues.

It is apparent that Rogers main goal was to create an environment for the client in which he will eventually be able to independently understand and express his feelings. Truscott (2010) reported according to the “person-centered, humanistic worldview” that,

“It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.’ (Rogers, 2004, p11).

Carl Rogers’s belief was that the clients have the ability to see their own growth potential and can get there with only guidance from a therapist (Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy), 2015). His thought was if therapist helped clients with empathy

Carl Rogers view the self-concept as a collection of beliefs about one’s nature, unique qualities, and typical behaviour. Rogers believed that people are aware of their self-concepts. Our self-concept is our mental image of our self. It is a collection of our self-perceptions. For example, a self-concept might include such beliefs as the case example suggests, Dan expresses “I’m such a failure!” or “I just can’t cope with this!” Rogers used the term incongruence to introduce the disparity between one’s self-concept and one’s actual experience. On the contrary, congruence is an adequate match between the self-concept and reality. Our self-concept is not completely constant with our actual experiences. Forthrightly, our self-concept may be imprecise. Most people are likely to misinterpret their experience to a certain degree in order to develop a positive self-concept. For example, you believe that you are brave enough to do a skydive but when the actual time arrives you intend to surrender. Rodgers advocated that a great deal of incongruence can weaken an individual’s psychological well-being. On the other hand, if a person’s self-concept is fairly

One of the defining characteristics of self-centeredness is being overly confident in one’s own abilities and rejecting help from others. In most cases, self-centeredness is most clearly seen as simply failing to take heed of others’ caution. Such is the case with Chris McCandless who, while not being completely selfish, certainly had his moments in which he displayed a complete disregard for the warnings of others. Throughout his journey, McCandless is warned that the Alaskan bush is too wild for him and that he does not know what he is doing, yet he goes anyway (Krakauer). Self-centered people do not see the need to take advice from others, and in doing so they fail to see their own shortcomings. Self-centeredness is also commonly followed by foolish arrogance, which almost always places one in a compromising, or even fatal position. In “To Build a Fire,” a man is overly confident in his own abilities and it ends up costing him his life: “The man had been very serious when he said that no man should travel alone in that country after 50 below zero. Well, here he