carl rogers: person-centered theory

formative tendency

the tendency al for all matter, both organic or inorganic, to evolve from simpler to more complex forms.

an actualizing tendency

the tendency within all humans (and other animals & plants) to move toward completion or fulfillment of potentials. people are willing to learn and to change, achieve psychological growth

formative tendency

actualizing tendency

2 basic assumptions

1. self concept

2. ideal self

The self has two subsystems:

self concept

all those aspects of one's being and one’s experiences that are perceived in awareness.

ideal self

_____, or our view of our self as one wishes to be or aspire to be. Usually positive attributes that one aspire to possess

1. ignored or denied

2. accurately symbolized

3. distorted

levels of awareness:

ignored or denied

below the threshold of awareness

accurately symbolized

nonthreatening experiences and consistent with existing self concept

distorted

experience is not consistent with the view of self

1. maintenance

2. enhancement

Two basic human needs are:

maintenance

food, air, safety

enhancement

needs to grow and to realize one’s full human potential

positive regard

to be loved and accepted

self regard

someone else care and love us

Conditions of worth

Incongruence

Defensiveness

Disorganization

barriers to psychological health:

defensiveness

the protection of the self-concept against anxiety and threat by the denial or distortion of experiences inconsistent with it.

distortion and denial

2 Chief Defenses are:

disorganization

people sometimes behave consistently with their organismic experience, and sometimes in accordance with their shattered self-concept

counselor congruence

openly express feelings

unconditional positive regard

genuine acceptance of the client

empathic listening

client knows that another person has entered into his/her world of feelings w/o prejudice, projection, evaluation

congruent counselor

a complete human being with feelings of joy, anger, frustration, confusion, and so on

unconditional positive regard

accepting a warm, positive and accepting attitude toward the client.

empathic listening

when therapist accurately sense the feelings of clients and are able to communicate these perceptions so that clients know that another person has entered their world of feelings without prejudice, or evaluation. “Temporarily living in the other’s life... without making judgment”