9.16 : Carl Rogers' Humanistic Perspective on Personality

Carl Rogers, a key figure in humanistic psychology, believed that individuals possess an innate potential for growth and fulfillment. According to his model of personality, three significant components define an individual: the organism, the self, and conditions of worth.

The organism refers to an individual's inherent blueprint, which Rogers saw as innately positive and directed toward helping others, unlike Freud's view of the id as driven by base impulses. The self is a person's self-concept, and the beliefs describe who they are.

However, external factors often influence these beliefs, leading to the development of conditions of worth. These conditions are expectations imposed by society, parents, and peers, dictating which behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable. As individuals internalize these expectations, they accept themselves only when they meet these standards. For instance, a child who enjoys writing poetry might stop this activity if teased by peers, believing they are only valuable when they conform to others' expectations.

Rogers argued that conditions of worth lead to incongruence between the self and the organism. This incongruence occurs when individuals act in ways that are inconsistent with their true selves, resulting in emotional conflict and unfulfillment. Rogers emphasized that the key to overcoming this dissonance is experiencing unconditional positive regard from others. This involves being valued and accepted without conditions, allowing individuals to reconnect with their true feelings and desires.

Rogers's optimistic view of human nature suggests that, given the right environment of acceptance and empathy, individuals can flourish, much like a sunflower thriving in rich soil with adequate sunlight. His theories have significantly influenced modern therapeutic approaches, focusing on helping individuals achieve personal growth by fostering their inherent potential and aligning their self-concept with their innate organism.