PSY405 Notes Lecture 21

Rogers’ Person-Centered Approach

Also called:

Client-Centered Approach

Self Theory of Personality Carl Rogers’ approach is part of humanistic psychology, which focuses on people’s potential, growth, and positive qualities, rather than just mental illness or flaws.

1. Phenomenological Theory of Personality

Definition: Phenomenology is the study of a person’s subjective experience—the way they see, interpret, and feel about the world. Plain English: To understand someone’s behavior, you have to step into their shoes and see the world as they see it. People behave the way they think and feel about their experiences. Example: If you want to understand your Pakistani students’ personalities, you need to look at how they see their life, not just your assumptions about them. This requires empathy—feeling with someone and understanding their perspective.

2. Humanistic View

Definition: A psychological perspective emphasizing personal growth, free choice, and positive aspects of life. Plain English: Humans aren’t just driven by unconscious urges or past trauma —they have the ability to make choices and grow. Example: A student struggling with confidence isn’t just “broken”; they can grow if supported and given freedom to explore themselves.

3. Actualizing Tendency

Definition: An inborn drive to grow, survive, and fulfill one’s potential. Plain English: Every living thing has a built-in push to become its best self. Example: A plant grows toward sunlight; humans naturally try to learn, create, and improve themselves.

4. Fully Functioning Person

Definition: Someone living their life fully, using their abilities, and realizing their potential.

Five characteristics:

1. Openness to experience: Willing to try new things and face feelings without fear.
2. Experiential living: Living in the moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
3. Organismic trusting: Trusting one’s own instincts and judgments.
4. Experiential freedom: Feeling free to make choices without being overly constrained.
5. Creativity/psychological maturity: Using abilities and imagination to solve problems and grow.

Example: A fully functioning student might try a new art form, trust their own ideas, and express themselves freely in projects.

5. Rogers’ Biographical Sketch

Born in 1902, Oak Park, Illinois. Came from a financially stable family. Wrote important books on counseling and personal growth. Believed humans are fundamentally good and capable of growth, not “evil” as some religions or Freud suggested.

6. Rogers’ Phenomenological Position

Definition: Behavior is based on how a person perceives the world, not objective reality. Plain English: Two people can see the same event differently, and each will act based on their own perception. Example: Two students see the same exam result; one sees failure, the other sees an opportunity to improve. Their actions depend on these perceptions.

7. Concept of Self

Definition: The self is how a person sees and values themselves. Includes: Actual self: “Who I am” Ideal self: “Who I want to be” Example: A student sees themselves as shy (actual self) but wants to be confident (ideal self). Conflicts between these can cause anxiety.

8. Need for Positive Regard

Definition: Everyone wants to feel loved, accepted, and respected by others. Plain English: We naturally seek approval from people who matter to us. Example: A child wants praise from their parents or teacher.

9. Conditions of Worth

Definition: Approval that depends on meeting certain expectations. Plain English: “I love you if…” type of love. Example: A father says, “I’ll love you more if you get straight A’s.” This pressures the child to act for approval instead of acting naturally.

10. Unconditional Positive Regard

Definition: Loving or accepting someone regardless of their actions.