Carl Rogers's Humanistic-Phenomenological Theory

Practice flashcards covering Carl Rogers's humanistic-phenomenological theory of personality, including its structure, dynamics, and view of psychopathology.

Humanistic-Phenomenological View

Rogers's perspective that humans are architects of their own lives and look to grow naturally toward the sun if given the right climate.

Humanistic

The belief that human nature is inherently positive, forward-moving, and realistic, aimed at becoming one's best self.

Phenomenological

The study of subjective experience, where reality is defined by how an individual perceives what is happening rather than external facts.

Internal frame of reference

The unique, subjective perspective of an individual that must be understood to truly understand that person.

Freedom (Theory)

The concept that humans are free because behavior is determined by choices rather than biological drives or external stimuli.

Freedom (Practice)

The reality that most people are not truly free because they act according to rules set by others rather than their own potential.

The Organism

The individual as a whole, including all physical and psychological experiences.

The Phenomenal Field

The total experiential world of an individual, consisting of everything perceived, whether physical sensations or thoughts.

The Self-Concept

The differentiated part of the phenomenal field consisting of a consistent but fluid pattern of "I" or "Me" perceptions.

The Ideal Self

The person an individual wishes they were.

Actualising Tendency

The primary biological engine or push in all living things to grow, develop, and reach their full potential.

Self-Actualising

A specific motive referring to the maintenance and enhancement of the Self-Concept.

Need for Positive Regard

The social hunger for warmth, love, and respect from significant others like parents and peers.

Need for Positive Self-Regard

The need to feel good about oneself, which Rogers suggests usually follows receiving regard from others.

Congruence

The ideal state where the self-concept matches the individual's actual experience and potential.

Incongruence

A rift or conflict between the self-concept and actual organismic experience, often caused by conditions of worth.

Conditions of Worth

The rules or requirements set by others that an individual adopts to stay loved and feel worthy.

Defense Mechanisms

Processes like distortion and denial used by the Ego to protect the self-concept when it is threatened by incongruence.

Denial

A defense mechanism where an individual refuses to let a threatening experience enter their consciousness.

Distortion

A defense mechanism where an individual twists an experience so it fits within their existing self-concept.

Symbolised (Allowed In)

Experiences that are entered into consciousness because they are relevant to needs or confirm the current self-concept.

Subception

The process where the organism senses a threat on an unconscious level, often resulting in anxiety without a known cause.

Organismic Evaluation Process

An infant's inner compass that judges experiences as positive or negative based on whether they advance or threaten the organism.

Significant Others

People such as parents, friends, and colleagues who provide the positive regard an individual hungers for as their self-concept forms.

Unconditional Positive Regard

A state where an individual is loved for who they are without strings attached, allowing them to remain congruent.

The Good Life

Not a static destination but a process of stretching and growing where the Self-Concept integrates all experiences.

Fully Functioning Person

An individual reaching their potential who is open to experience, adaptable, and capable of total self-actualization.

Growing Openness to Experience

A trait of the fully functioning person where all feelings and data are accepted without defensiveness.

Increasingly Existential Lifestyle

Living in the present moment where the self-concept remains fluid and spontaneous rather than fixed.

Increasing Organismic Trusting

Trusting one's own "gut" or inner compass to choose appropriate behavior rather than relying on social norms.

Experiential Freedom

The feeling of having the power to choose how to live and taking full responsibility for those choices.

Creativity (Characteristic)

The ability to adapt constructively to new environments and challenges rather than simply conforming.

Reliability and Constructiveness

The naturally positive balance a person maintains toward themselves and society when they are open to all their needs.

A Rich, Full Life

A life of meaning that experiences the full spectrum of human emotions, from heartbreak to courage, intensely.

Anxiety (Rogers)

The emotional alarm bell that signals an experience is about to contradict or threat the self-concept.

Neurotic Level (Moderate Incongruence)

A state where one has enough defenses to maintain the self-concept, but life feels restricted, uncomfortable, and vulnerable.

Psychotic Level (Severe Incongruence)

A state where the gap between reality and self-concept is too large, defenses fail, and denied parts of the self erupt uncontrollably.