Personality Theories Chapter 10

What is client-centered therapy?

A therapeutic approach developed by Carl Rogers that focuses on helping clients grow through empathy, acceptance, and authenticity.

What is the difference between client-centered and person-centered?

• Client-centered → therapy approach

• Person-centered → broader personality theory

What is the formative tendency?

The natural tendency for all things to evolve from simple to more complex forms.

What is the actualizing tendency?

The innate drive in all humans to grow, develop, and reach their full potential.

What is the difference between maintenance and enhancement?

• Maintenance → preserving stability

• Enhancement → growth and development

What is self-actualization in Rogers’ theory?

The process of fulfilling one’s self-concept (subset of actualizing tendency).

What is the self-concept?

The beliefs and perceptions a person has about themselves.

What is the ideal self?

The person you wish or aspire to be.

What is incongruence?

A mismatch between self-concept and actual experience (or ideal self), leading to anxiety and conflict.

What is positive regard?

The need to be loved, accepted, and valued by others.

What is positive self-regard?

Valuing and accepting oneself.

What are conditions of worth?

Beliefs that you are only worthy of love if you meet certain expectations.

What are external evaluations?

Judging yourself based on others’ opinions instead of your own experience.

What is anxiety in Rogers’ theory?

A feeling of tension that arises when we become aware of incongruence.

What is defensiveness?

Protecting the self-concept by denying or distorting experiences.

What are the two main defenses?

• Distortion → changing reality

• Denial → blocking reality

What is congruence?

Being genuine—your feelings, awareness, and behavior all match.

What is unconditional positive regard?

Accepting someone completely without judgment or conditions.

What is empathy?

Deeply understanding another person’s feelings from their perspective (“feeling with”).

What are the 3 core conditions for therapy?

1. Congruence

2. Unconditional positive regard

3. Empathy

What is the organismic valuing process (OVP)?

An internal “gut feeling” that guides us toward growth and meaningful choices.

What is existential living?

Living fully in the present moment.

What is a fully functioning person?

Someone who is open, authentic, self-trusting, and continuously growing.

What is the goal of therapy in Rogers’ theory?

To reduce incongruence and help clients become more self-accepting and authentic.

What happens when therapy is successful?

The real self and ideal self become more aligned (greater congruence).