UNDSELF | 2nd SEM

Carl Rogers

A pioneering American psychologist and a key figure in humanistic psychology.

Born And Death of Carl Rogers

1902-1987

View of Self of Carl Rogers

viewed himself more as a therapist than a theorist.

Person Centered Theory

core theory of carl rogers

Belief on Self Concept

Carl Rogers believed that self concept begins in childhood and is heavily influenced by parenting styles.

Formative Tendency

The inherent drive in all living organisms to evolve from simpler to more complex forms (e.g., from a single cell to a complex brain capable of self-awareness).

Actualizing Tendency

The tendency to flourish and reach one's full potential. This requires specific environmental conditions: unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness in relationships.

Self Concept

Includes all aspects of one's being and experiences that are perceived in awareness by the individual. It is how you define yourself (e.g., your identity as a student, a professional, or a person).

Organismic Self

• "The Real Self," "Ikaw," or "Ako."

• Includes things we are aware of regarding ourselves, but also includes things we are NOT aware of (e.g., certain personality traits or subconscious experiences).

Congruence VS Incongruence

The relationship between the Self-Concept and the Organismic Self determines a person's ability to self-actualize.

Congruence

• Definition: Occurs when the Self-Concept is similar to (overlaps significantly with) the Organismic Self.

• Result: The person is healthy and can effectively self-actualize.

Incongruence

• Definition: Occurs when there is little overlap between the Self-Concept and the Organismic Self (a discrepancy between who you think you are and who you actually are).

• Result: Self-actualization becomes difficult.

Unconditional Positive Regard

• Accepting and valuing a person for who they are, without any requirements or "strings attached."

• "I love and accept you because you exist, not because of what you do."

• Impact on the Self: It allows a person to explore their Organismic Self without fear. This leads to Congruence, where the person's self-concept matches their real experiences, making self-actualization much easier.
  

Conditional Positive Regard

• Acceptance and love that are only given when the person acts in certain ways or meets specific expectations (Conditions of Worth).

• The individual begins to hide or deny parts of their Organismic Self that don't meet these conditions. They "distort" their awareness to fit what others want.

• The Result: This creates a large gap between the Self-Concept (who they think they should be) and the Organismic Self (who they actually are), leading to anxiety and a struggle to self-actualize.

Greek Philosophy (Classical Origin)

The belief that beauty is "perfect" when it follows mathematical balance and ideal form.

Polyclitus

The Greek sculptor who first devised a "canon" for the human body as a model of perfection.

Golden Ratio

A mathematical proportion (often associated with the Golden Rectangle) used to construct a "perfect" human face.

The Enlightenment Period (18th Century)

A shift where perfection in beauty moved from being "divine" to being "human-centered." It became something judged by rational thought, taste, and shared human standards.

Modern & Contemporary Views

The view that perfection is socially constructed, dynamic, and constantly evolving. It is heavily influenced by globalization, technology, and media.

The Beauty Myth (Naomi Wolf)

• The societal expectation that women should conform to narrow, unrealistic standards of beauty, often perpetuated by the media and fashion industries to use against women.

• She talks about “bodies” rather than just “people” underscores how social  norms, technology, and power structures shape physical existence

The Perfectible Body

• by Susie Orbach

• The cultural belief that the body is a "project" that is never finished and always requires fixing or improvement. This can lead to the body becoming a "site of serious suffering and disorder."

Social Construction of Beauty

The idea that beauty standards are not fixed or eternal but are culturally shaped and deeply connected to identity and personal expression.

Cultural Mutability of Ageing

The concept that while aging is biological, the definition of what is "old" varies by geographical and historical context.

Multinationals

A handful of large corporations (e.g., Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, Shiseido, Unilever) that emerged in the early 20th century and now control the multibillion-dollar beauty industry.

Objects of Consumption

debate over whether the beauty industry positions women as "objects" to be sold to, or "subjects" who can determine their own identity.

Media Images

Content (like magazine articles) that reinforces narrow definitions of success and womanhood, often contributing to feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and dissatisfaction.

Pernicious Images

Ubiquitous, airbrushed images of perfection that lead young people to become deeply dissatisfied with their natural appearance.

Metrosexuality

coined by Mark Simpson to describe a young men, usually in metropolitan settings, who devote significant time and money to their physical appearance and lifestyle.

Male Grooming Trends

The rising number of men using beauty products or undergoing surgical procedures like rhinoplasty (nose shaping) or abdominoplasty (tummy tucks).

Ageing

A key topic in cultural studies because growing "old" is a process that directly affects everyone, unlike other social identifications (such as ethnicity or disability).

Gerontophobia

A powerful anxiety defined as the fear of ageing. It is rooted in the "terror" that one day an individual will inevitably become part of the elderly group.

Congruence

Where a person’s ideal self and actual experience are consistent or very similar, a state of congruence exists. (Note: A total state of congruence rarely, if ever, exists).

Incongruence

A person’s ideal self may not be consistent with what actually happens in life and experiences of the person. Hence, a difference may exist between a person’s ideal self and actual experience.

Positive Conditions of Worth

People regard us in a way that affirms our worth (e.g., Maternal Care/Affirmations). We tend to do everything we can to acquire it from "outside agents" like parents, friends, or society.

Negative Conditions of Worth

Experiences that are incongruent or incompatible with our self-concept become threatening and are manifested as anxiety. To maintain our self-concept, we may deny feelings (like hatred) that don't fit our image of being a "loving person."

Distortion

of experience involves altering one’s perception of reality to maintain a sense of self-worth and avoid conflict with the self-concept.

Denial

the refusal to acknowledge the reality of a situation or experience, often leading to a false sense of self-worth.

Why do we use defense mechanisms like Distortion and Denial?

They are employed to protect the self-concept and maintain psychological equilibrium, though they can lead to long-term psychological dysfunction if not addressed.

traits of a Fully Functioning Person

Awareness of all experience; open to positive as well as negative feelings.

• Freshness of appreciation for all experiences.

• Trust in one’s own behavior and feelings.

• Freedom of choice, without inhibitions.

• Creativity and spontaneity.

• Continual need to grow, to strive to maximize one’s potential.

Personality Grows when

people feel accepted and understood. Empathy, self-acceptance, and support are essential for becoming our true selves.

PH teen pregnancy

highest rates in asia

Sex

Refers to the physical and biological aspects—the characteristics that distinguish between males and females. It involves the physical and psychological traits related to being male or female.

Sexuality

This is much broader. It is described as a "fundamental component of personality" and a "relational power".

It isn’t just about what we do with our genitals; it involves the whole person—physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

a dimension of one’s restless heart, which continually yearns for interpersonal communion, glimpsed and experienced to varying degrees in this life, ultimately finding full oneness only in God, here and hereafter

It includes the qualities of sensitivity, understanding,

intimacy, openness to others, compassion and mutual support.

The “Gift”

Sexuality is viewed as this and a “responsibility". We are "embodied and sexual" beings created to share ourselves with others.

Animals

Humans share the same traits with such as Growth, Reproduction, and Feelings

Humans

Have all those traits, but also Will, Reason, and a Spiritual nature.

Acceptance of Mature Sexuality

involves accepting the general shape of your body, including your face, neck, arms, and genitals.

Contentment for Mature Sexuality

includes being content with the "bodily parts that God has given us".

Enjoyment for Mature Sexuality

means having a healthy "enjoyment of our bodies" and a pleasure in viewing and touching them in a respectful way.

Interpersonal Communion

It is a "yearning for committed relationships" and a way to communicate and bond with others.

Qualities

includes sensitivity, understanding, intimacy, and mutual support.

Higher Purpose

sexuality is a dimension of the heart that ultimately finds "full oneness only in God".

Cultural Variation

Long thought to be uniquely human; now seen in Chimps (e.g., the "Rain Dance" performed in 6 of 7 communities).

Tool Use & Planning

Observed in Chimps (making tools/planning ahead) and Macaques (inventive behavior).

PC Therapist III

A computer program that convinced 50% of people it was a real therapist, challenging the "essential difference" between humans and bytes.

Language & Logic

Kanzi (Ape): Functions at a 2-year-old level; Alex (Parrot): Showed thought/intention; Rio (Sea Lion): Understands logic.

Empathy & Dialects

Killer Whales: Have distinct dialects; Macaques: 87% preferred hunger over hurting a peer;

Elephants: Can "lose the will to live" after a companion's death.

Avocado View

An enduring, stable self is seen as existing at the core of a person

Artichoke View

A person is understood as protean with no enduring stable core

Plato and Aristotle

valued reason as defining human nature; both identified men more with the rational element and women more with the irrational element – emotions and the body, hence, the reason for their inferior status

Aristotle

 each person possesses a permanent rational essence that grounds moral responsibility and identity.

The Judaic and Christian Traditions

assert that we humans are made in the image and likeness of God.

Like the Creator, we know who we are—we are self-conscious—and we have the capacity for love. Indeed, we are moral selves obliged to love and serve our Creator.

The Islamic Tradition (Avocado)

Humans are the "viceregent of God" (custodians of Earth) and must remain faithful to their divine form.

custodian and protector of the earth of which he is given dominion on the condition that he remain faithful to himself as the central terrestrial figure created in the ‘form of God’

Macrina

the soul, which is “the image of God,” is without gender. Women as well as men are created in the image and likeness of God.

She explained that the soul is spiritual and immaterial, therefore it does not  possess male or female characteristics. Gender differences belong to the body,  not to the soul because the soul reflects the image of God, both men and  women share equal spiritual dignity. 

Robert Lifton (Protean Self)

The self is a collage of many layers that are real only at specific times or circumstances.

- The protean self is a psychological concept that describes the ability of individuals to adapt and change in response to their environments, much like the Greek god Proteus, who could change shape

Dr. Sherry Turkle

Used the computer window metaphor. People express different aspects of themselves in different settings (online vs. offline).

José Ortega y Gasset

Humans must "make their own existence" at every moment, regardless of circumstances. (Existentialism)

Jean-Paul Sartre

"Existence precedes essence." There is no pre-set human nature because there is no God to "design" it; we define ourselves after we exist.

Albert Camus

Life is inherently meaningless, yet humans constantly search for meaning. This  tension between the human desire for meaning and the silent universe is what  Camus calls “the absurd.” 

The "Absurd"—the "divorce" between a person and their life/setting. (Existentialism)

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

Experienced a moment where "past, present, and future" vanished, describing it as Nirvana—life bound in a "membranous pouch."

Dr. Peggy La Cerra

you build up an autobiography: a chronology of who you were at various times of your life and in specific situations.”

This “autobiographical record of your development as a unique individual is the scaffolding of yourself.

Rationality

is the human ability to think logically, reason, and make decisions  based on understanding, evidence, and reflection rather than mere instinct or  emotion. This ability sets us apart from other creatures.

The Ocean Model

used to understand, describe, and predict personality traits in  various contexts. 

Openess

Measures creativity, curiosity, and openness to new experiences.

• • High: imaginative, adventurous, curious. 

• • Low: conventional, prefers routine, practical.

(e.g.)

Tries new software at work. → “Maria loves experimenting with new ideas.”

Travels to a foreign country. → “Johan enjoys exploring new cultures.”

Conscientiousness

Reflects self-discipline, organization, and goal-directed behavior.

• High: reliable, organized, responsible. 

• Low: spontaneous, careless, less structured.

(e.g.)

Plans study schedule carefully. → “Luis always meets deadlines.” 

Checks reports for errors. → “She ensures her work is accurate.” 

Extraversion

Captures sociability, assertiveness, and energy level. 

• High: outgoing, talkative, energetic. 

• Low: reserved, quiet, prefers solitude. 

(e.g.)

Talks to everyone at a party. → “Rico makes friends easily.” 

Participates actively in group work. → “Sofia thrives in social settings.”

Agreeableness

Measures compassion, cooperation, and social harmony. 

• High: kind, trusting, helpful. 

• Low: competitive, critical, less empathetic. 

(e.g.)

Helps a struggling coworker. → “Anna is always supportive.” 

Listens patiently during a debate. → “He values cooperation over conflict.”

Neuroticism

Indicates emotional stability and tendency toward negative emotions.

• High: anxious, moody, easily stressed. 

• Low: calm, emotionally stable, resilient.

(e.g.)

 Feels anxious before a presentation. → “Marco overthinks under pressure.”

Gets upset by small setbacks. → “She reacts strongly to minor problems.”