Carl Rogers’ Theory of Personality
Running head: PERSONALITY THEORY PAPER
Personality Theory Paper
Personality Theory Paper
From the theories of Sigmund Freud to humanistic theories of personality, how one views others greatly influences how one sees the world and vice versa. Because the theories are so different—some suggesting that human nature is ill, evil, or bad, while others believe it is intrinsically good—it is easy to see why people’s views of others and the world are so different. However, each person has a single theory or belief that influences the way they others. For me, that theory is Carl Rogers’ theory of personality, and this theory greatly impacts how I view others in society and in the workplace, in addition to my own role in society and the workplace. Carl Rogers’ theory of personality is a humanistic argument that emphasizes the basic good in all people. Boeree (2006) writes that Rogers’ theory is based on the belief that mental health is the “normal progression” of life and that negative actions and problems are a result of “distortions” of that natural tendency (para. 2). Another important caveat in Rogers’ theory is the fact that all humans—all creatures, in fact—want to make “the best of their existence” (Boeree, 2006, para. 2). Rogers calls this the actualizing tendency,” suggesting that all people have the ambition and desire to be the best they can be (Boeree, 2006, para. 2). While this desire is a positive, rather than negative, trait, Rogers holds that it has created society and culture, allowed culture to “develop a life of its own,” and created a complexity that can harm humans (Boeree, 2006, para. 2). Rogers’ theory was derived out of his experiences with patients, and he believed that therapists must have four key characteristics in order to help their patients: unconditional positive regard, a non-judgmental attitude, the ability to disclose personal information, and ability to reflect (“Personality Synopsis,” 2004). Rogers’ theory has
Personality Theory Paper
Personality Theory Paper
From the theories of Sigmund Freud to humanistic theories of personality, how one views others greatly influences how one sees the world and vice versa. Because the theories are so different—some suggesting that human nature is ill, evil, or bad, while others believe it is intrinsically good—it is easy to see why people’s views of others and the world are so different. However, each person has a single theory or belief that influences the way they others. For me, that theory is Carl Rogers’ theory of personality, and this theory greatly impacts how I view others in society and in the workplace, in addition to my own role in society and the workplace. Carl Rogers’ theory of personality is a humanistic argument that emphasizes the basic good in all people. Boeree (2006) writes that Rogers’ theory is based on the belief that mental health is the “normal progression” of life and that negative actions and problems are a result of “distortions” of that natural tendency (para. 2). Another important caveat in Rogers’ theory is the fact that all humans—all creatures, in fact—want to make “the best of their existence” (Boeree, 2006, para. 2). Rogers calls this the actualizing tendency,” suggesting that all people have the ambition and desire to be the best they can be (Boeree, 2006, para. 2). While this desire is a positive, rather than negative, trait, Rogers holds that it has created society and culture, allowed culture to “develop a life of its own,” and created a complexity that can harm humans (Boeree, 2006, para. 2). Rogers’ theory was derived out of his experiences with patients, and he believed that therapists must have four key characteristics in order to help their patients: unconditional positive regard, a non-judgmental attitude, the ability to disclose personal information, and ability to reflect (“Personality Synopsis,” 2004). Rogers’ theory has
References: Boeree, C.G. (2006). Carl Rogers. Retrieved August 9, 2009, from Shippensburg University: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/rogers.html “Personality Synopsis.” (2004). Retrieved August 9, 2009, from All Psych: http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/rogers.html Rogers, N. (n.d.). Carl Rogers: Biography. Retrieved August 9, 2009, from Natalie Rogers’ Home Page: http://www.nrogers.com/carlrogersbio.html