Rogerian Theory

Abstract

Carl Rogers contributed a great deal to not just psychology, but psychotherapy. He was raised in a relatively normal American family around the turn of the century. His later studies, subsequent clinical experience, and research lead him to the conclusion that all living beings strive for biological success. Humans also strive for this success but are often thwarted by society, giving rise to a real self and an ideal self. Disparages between these two selves gives rise to neurosis and psychosis. Rogerian therapy attempts to lead clients to self actualization, realizing what one’s real self desires, with passive and indirect assistance.

Personality Synopsis, Carl Rogers

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to give a brief biography of Carl Rogers, an overview of his most influential theories, and the lasting impact of the man and his theories on clinical psychology. Rogers’ most influential theory was his person-centered approach to therapy. This approached has expanded to include such topics as leadership, education, and group work in general.
Attachment 1 is my supplemental bibliography, listing multiple sources that I have attained information from during the courses of Psychology of Personality and Psychology of Adjustment, spring of 2008.
Brief Biography

Born to an American family January 8, 1902, Carl Rogers was the typical boy of a typical American family of that time. In a suburb of Chicago, called Oak Park, the young Rogers was the son of a civil engineer in a religious Christian family. Later, the family would move to a farm where Rogers would endure the heavy load of chores and strict discipline that is needed for that way of life (Boeree, 2006). Rogers would later choose to attend Wisconsin University to study Agriculture, and soon switching studies to religion. However, as most college students do, Rogers began to loose faith in the particulars of his religious upbringing, and eventually settled on Psychology as a career path. After receiving a B.A. at the University of Wisconsin, he would go on to receive a PhD in Psychotherapy at Chicago University (Boeree, 2006).

Rogers used his degree to help children through the Rochester Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and then later he would become a professor at Ohio State University. Following this prestigious position, Rogers would go on to Professor at the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin, become president of the American Association for Applied Psychology, the American Psychological Association and first president of the American Academy of Psychotherapist, Win the Nicholas Murray Butler Silver, become a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences, be selected as the American Humanist of the year in 1964, and receive several honorary degrees from various Universities (Hall, 1997). Obviously a very accomplished man, Rogers can attribute these honors mostly to his theory of Personality Development, a basis for what would later be called Client-Centered Therapy. The two main publications of Rogers’ that explained this theory were Client-Centered Therapy, and On Becoming a Person . The books emphasized the creation of a positive and non-judgmental environment during therapy, allowing the client to determine the speed and direction of their own psychological progression (Heffner, 2003).
Theory Overview In essence, Rogerian theory is based upon the simple idea of self preservation. All beings, from slugs to trees to humans, strive to better themselves. All life forms will attempt to achieve their greatest potential. This idea is called actualizing tendency. Actualizing tendency is the force that makes people eat well, exercise, learn, and find a mate. Every action is an attempt to better one’s self in this theory. However, this tendency towards self improvement has been corrupted (Boeree, 2006).

Humans satisfy this primordial need in ways that nature did not intend or account for. When a person’s sweet tooth is acting up, for example, this urge is intended to encourage the finding of fruit (possibly the need for Vitamin C). Unfortunately, the modern era offers the sweetness of refined sugar to satisfy this craving. Where we try to better ourselves, the culture around us has prevented that betterment with an illusory satisfaction. This is an example of human culture evolving to satisfy a craving but not the corresponding need. The craving is for sweetness, but the need is for Vitamin C. Other examples of culture getting in the way of actualizing tendency would be using sex to fill a romantic void, or using a shopping spree to relieve anxiety (Boeree, 2006).
Culture can also shape us through what Rogers calls ‘Conditions of Worth.’ We are rewarded for good actions with biological necessities more often than treats. Children receive desert only when the dinner plate is clean, and sexual behavior is repressed outside of the bedroom. There are of course many other examples, but these types of needs being satisfied only upon meeting of certain conditions is a dangerous thing. We may begin to only respect and accept ourselves if we fulfill society’s expectations of us, rather than doing what we feel is best. This way of thinking lead to the Victorian era sexual repression and Inquisitorial religious persecution. The inner self that wishes for your own ‘Oragnismic Valuing’, that is the desire to fulfill your biological needs without regard to cultural restrictions, is what Rogers calls the ‘Real Self’ (Boeree, 2006).
Since this Real Self is very different from who you believe you should be, or your ‘Ideal Self,’ there is a disconnect that can be the cause of serious problems. The gap between your Real Self and your Ideal Self is called incongruity. When there is a great difference between who you are and who you think you should be, anxiety arises. The greater that incongruity, the greater the anxiety. The greater the chance for anxiety, the greater the chance for neurosis or even psychosis. And so by denying our very basic needs as humans in order to satisfy our society, we may very well end up on the wrong side of a therapy session. Rogerian therapy is aimed at avoiding this situation through personal ‘Self Actualization’ (Boeree, 2006).
Impact on Clinical Psychological Therapy
Carl Rogers preferred to call the people he worked with his Clients rather than his Patients because he believed, according to Muskingum College, “…individuals that he was counseling did need help, but not within the same regard that a medically ill person does. These individuals do not need to completely surrender themselves to a medical expert, although they do need help.” (Hall, 1997). This fact is telling of the entire Rogerian approach to therapy. Rather than directly steering his client towards a desired goal or psychological state, Rogers insisted that people naturally wish to grow and develop, so with the help of what he called ‘unconditional positive regard,’ the client, with the help of a therapist, could achieve his own positive development (Hall, 1997). Fostering the desired feeling of ‘unconditional positive regard’ with a client can be achieved through Realness, Prizing, and Empathy. Realness is being genuine with the client. That is, displaying complete transparency, and meeting clients face to face with no barrier in-between. This approach leads to better communication of feelings. Secondly, prizing is placing value on the attitudes and feelings of the client. Accepting the individual is a basic component of letting them place worth on themselves. And finally, empathy is necessary for the client to learn. According to Rogers, students feel deeply appreciative when, “They are simply understood – not evaluated, not judged, simply understood from their own point of view, not the teacher’s (Smith, 2004). Using this effective form of therapy has helped millions achieve their own therapy, using a therapist as a guide. Rogerian Therapy can be a very useful tool in Psychotherapy for helping a client help themselves. But, in addition, this theory of person-centered therapy can be applied to education, leadership, and group training. Much like Systems theory, Rogerian therapy is a general rule that can easily be adapted for use that improves human communication and relations.
Summary Impression I have never studied Carl Rogers in depth until I began this paper. Now that I’ve scratched the surface of his theory, I am very tempted to explore his literature. The ideas he puts forth make sense to me, and they would be very useful in a clinical setting. It seems that Psychoanalytic though often overshadows Rogers, and I feel that is criminal. While Psychoanalysis has its positives, the Rogerian technique seems much friendlier towards a modern society. The only negative of the Rogerian theory that I’ve come across is the excessive use of reflection. I happened to stumble upon a video of Rogerian therapy in action on YouTube.com, and I believe I would be annoyed as a client with the continuous recitation of what I had said. The most interesting part of Rogerian theory to me is the idea of ‘Self Actualization’, and particularly ‘Organismic Valuing’. I have held beliefs similar to these, but I could not express them as clearly as Rogers has. The ideas of a real self and an ideal self is also a basis of the social psychologists, which interests me a great deal. In short, I will continue to study this idea in depth on my own time, but I’m very impressed that the concept is so graceful in such an intuitive nature.

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References

Boeree, G.C.. (2006). Carl Rogers. In Personality Theories. Retrieved March 24th, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/piaget.html.

Hall, K. (1997). Carl Rogers. In History of Psychology. Retrieved March 23rd, 2008 from http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/rogers.htm#Theory.

Heffner (2003). CarlRogers. Psychology Biographies. Retrieved March 25, from http://allpsych.com/biographies/rogers.html.
Smith, M., (2004). Carl Rogers, Core Conditions and Education. In Thinkers. Retrieved March 24th, 2008 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-rogers.htm.

Attachment 1

Supplemental Bibliography
Begley, J. (1999). Understanding General Systems Theory. Retrieved February 3rd, 2008, from http://www.bsn-gn.eku.edu/BEGLEY/GSThand1.htm
Boeree, G.C.. (2002). Genetics. In General Psychology (Nature and Nurture). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsygenetics.html
Boeree, G.C.. (2002). Human Evolution. In General Psychology (Nature and Nurture). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/humanevol.html
Boeree, G.C.. (2006). Jean Piaget. In Personality Theories. Retrieved February 24th, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/piaget.html.
Boeree, G.C.. (2007). Personality Theories: An Introduction. In Personality Theories. Retrieved February 24nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/personalityintroduction.html.
Boeree, G.C.. (2002). Sexual Orientation. In General Psychology ( Emotion and Motivation). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sexualorientation.html
Boeree, G.C.. (2007). Race. In General Psychology (Nature and Nurture). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/race.html
Boeree, G.C.. (2003). Trait Theories of Personality. In General Psychology (Personality). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsytraits.html
Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. (2008). Bowen Theory. Retrieved February 3rd, 2008, from http://www.thebowencenter.org/pages/theory.html

Brauckmann, S. (1999). Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Retrieved February 3rd, 2008, from http://www.isss.org/lumLVB.htm

Elder, L., Paul, R., (2006). Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools. Dillon Beach: The Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Engler B. (2006). Personality Theories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Heffner, (2003). Temperament and Personality. Personality Synopsis (Chapter 3 Biological Components of Personality). Retrieved February 3, from http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/temperament.html.

Heffner (2003). Introduction to Personality. Personality Synopsis (Chapter 1: Introduction to Personality Theory and Development). Retrieved February 25, from http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/approaches.html.

Heffner (2003). Introduction to Personality. Personality Synopsis (Chapter 2: Personality Research and Assessment). Retrieved February 25, from http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/research.html.
Heylighen, F. Joslyn, C. (1992). What is Systems Theory?. Retrieved February 2nd from http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SYSTHEOR.html
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (2008). Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Retrieved February 2nd, 2008, from http://www.psy.pdx.edu/PsiCafe/KeyTheorists/vonBertalanffy.htm.
Myers, D., (2005) Psychology (7th edition). NY: Worth Publishing
Maltby, C. (Director). (2003). Journey of Man [Motion picture]. United States: PBS.
Journey of Man delves into the origin of human evolution and relatively quick population of earth. Doctor Wells traces the distribution of certain genetic markers in the 'Y ' chromosomes of people throughout the world to determine genetic heritage and ancestry. With this information, Dr. Wells discovers that man first left Africa for Australia, crossing along the coast of India, a second group leaves for east Asia, and a third leaves for Europe by amazingly crossing over Siberia during an ice age. A mere handful of humans cross over the Bering Strait from Asia into America and become the forefathers of all Native Americans. All people can trace their lineage to a small tribe in Africa.

Schafersman, S. D., (1998). Critical Thinking and its Relation to Science and Humanism. In Humanist and Skeptical Essays and Presentations on the Web. Retrieved February 22nd, 2008 http://freeinquiry.com/critical-notes.html

Schafersman, S. D., (1998). Naturalism is an Essential Part of Science and Critical Inquiry. In Humanist and Skeptical Essays and Presentations on the Web. Retrieved February 23rd, 2008 from http://freeinquiry.com/naturalism.html.
Smith, M., (2002). Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences and Education. In Thinkers. Retrieved February 24th, 2008 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm
Starnes, O.B., (2005) File Notes, Seminars, and Workshops, 1976 to date. Charlotte, NC: UNC Charlotte

References: Boeree, G.C.. (2006). Carl Rogers. In Personality Theories. Retrieved March 24th, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/piaget.html. Hall, K. (1997). Carl Rogers. In History of Psychology. Retrieved March 23rd, 2008 from http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/rogers.htm#Theory. Heffner (2003). CarlRogers. Psychology Biographies. Retrieved March 25, from http://allpsych.com/biographies/rogers.html. Smith, M., (2004). Carl Rogers, Core Conditions and Education. In Thinkers. Retrieved March 24th, 2008 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-rogers.htm. Begley, J. (1999). Understanding General Systems Theory. Retrieved February 3rd, 2008, from http://www.bsn-gn.eku.edu/BEGLEY/GSThand1.htm Boeree, G.C. Boeree, G.C.. (2002). Human Evolution. In General Psychology (Nature and Nurture). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/humanevol.html Boeree, G.C. Boeree, G.C.. (2007). Personality Theories: An Introduction. In Personality Theories. Retrieved February 24nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/personalityintroduction.html. Boeree, G.C.. (2002). Sexual Orientation. In General Psychology ( Emotion and Motivation). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sexualorientation.html Boeree, G.C. Boeree, G.C.. (2003). Trait Theories of Personality. In General Psychology (Personality). Retrieved February 2nd, 2008 from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsytraits.html Bowen Center for the Study of the Family Brauckmann, S. (1999). Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Retrieved February 3rd, 2008, from http://www.isss.org/lumLVB.htm Elder, L., Paul, R., (2006) Engler B. (2006). Personality Theories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Heffner, (2003). Temperament and Personality. Personality Synopsis (Chapter 3 Biological Components of Personality). Retrieved February 3, from http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/temperament.html. Heffner (2003) Heffner (2003). Introduction to Personality. Personality Synopsis (Chapter 2: Personality Research and Assessment). Retrieved February 25, from http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/research.html. Heylighen, F. Joslyn, C. (1992). What is Systems Theory?. Retrieved February 2nd from http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SYSTHEOR.html International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (2008) Myers, D., (2005) Psychology (7th edition). NY: Worth Publishing Maltby, C Schafersman, S. D., (1998). Critical Thinking and its Relation to Science and Humanism. In Humanist and Skeptical Essays and Presentations on the Web. Retrieved February 22nd, 2008 http://freeinquiry.com/critical-notes.html Schafersman, S Smith, M., (2002). Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences and Education. In Thinkers. Retrieved February 24th, 2008 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm Starnes, O.B., (2005) File Notes, Seminars, and Workshops, 1976 to date