Carl Rogers' Person-Centered Theory

Flashcards based on the lecture notes about Carl Rogers' Person-Centered Theory.

What is Person-Centered Theory?

Emphasizes inner growth rather than symptom control and is structured in an 'if-then' format.

What is the Actualizing Tendency?

The inner drive to develop one's potential.

What is the one basic human motive according to Rogers?

To grow and fulfill one's nature.

What is Maintenance, as a sub-need of the Actualizing Tendency?

Preserving the organism (e.g., food, safety, emotional stability).

What is the Self-Concept?

One's conscious understanding of who they are.

What are distorted experiences in relation to the self-concept?

Experiences that are reshaped to fit existing self-concept.

According to Rogers, what is required for people to move toward health?

The environment allows it and people naturally move toward health.

What is Incongruence?

A mismatch between the self-concept and the organismic experience.

What are the two main strategies of Defensiveness?

Distortion and Denial.

What is the goal of psychotherapy in Person-Centered Theory?

Alignment between self and experience.

What are the three critical conditions for therapeutic change?

Therapist Congruence, Unconditional Positive Regard, and Empathic Understanding.

What is the movement toward when the core conditions of therapy are present?

Moving toward becoming a fully functioning person.