Carl R. Rogers was an American psychologist, one of the founders of the client-centered approach to psychology and one of the most influential psychologists in American history. Most of the ways of behaving that the organism adopts are those that are consistent with the concept of self. A person’s ideal self may not be consistent with what actually happens in life and the experiences of the person. Hence, a difference may exist between a person’s ideal self and actual experience. This is called incongruence. Abraham Maslow termed Rogers’ approach humanism, the ‘third force’ in psychology (psychoanalysis being the first, and behaviourism the second).

In other words, the therapist reveals little or nothing of their own personality in therapy. They adopt a veil of expertise and act as the expert. Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology (1956, APA); Award for Distinguished Contributions to Applied Psychology as a Professional Practice (1972, APA); 1964 Humanist of the Year ( American Humanist Association) Rogers was intelligent and could read well before kindergarten. Following an education in a strict religious and ethical environment as an altar boy at the vicarage of Jimpley, he became rather isolated, independent and disciplined, and acquired knowledge and an appreciation for the scientific method in a practical world. At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was a member of the fraternity Alpha Kappa Lambda, his first career choice was agriculture, followed by history and then religion.Cushing, James Stevenson (1905). The genealogy of the Cushing family, an account of the ancestors and descendants of Matthew Cushing, who came to America in 1638. Montreal: The Perrault printing co. p. 380. LCCN 06032460. For example, if parents only show love and approval when a child gets good grades or behaves in ways they approve, the child may grow up believing they are only worthy of love and positive regard when they meet certain standards. Unlike person-centred therapy, psychoanalysis relied on the therapist being a blank slate, distancing themselves from the client, and not getting involved on a personal level.

Consequently, it’s the job of a psychotherapist to listen to his/her patient, rather than trying to fix him/her.In the development of the self-concept, he saw conditional and unconditional positive regard as key. Those raised in an environment of unconditional positive regard have the opportunity to fully actualize themselves. Those raised in an environment of conditional positive regard feel worthy only if they match conditions (what Rogers describes as conditions of worth) that others have laid down for them.

In a recent study, Rogers was rated by colleagues to be both the sixth most eminent psychologist of the 20 th century and the second most respected clinician, only to Sigmund Freud. “On Becoming A Person PDF Summary” With regard to development, Rogers described principles rather than stages. The main issue is the development of a self-concept and the progress from an undifferentiated self to being fully differentiated. I rejoice at the privilege of being a midwife to a new personality — as I stand by with awe at the emergence of a self, a person, as I see a birth process in which I have had an important and facilitating part.” Tagatz, Glenn E. (2013). ENIGMA: A Veteran's Quest for Truth. Xlibris Corporation. p.141. ISBN 978-1-4836-7942-6.What does it mean to become a person? What constitutes an environment in which people can express themselves as ever-changing, free creatures? What is the role of psychotherapy in fostering the process of becoming a person and leading such a constant transformation which occurs in each of us? Rogers’ prose is often so dry that reading it is a pure chore, but that’s not the most frustrating part about it.

Another quote that I’ve used in just about every assignment since Level 2 to help illustrate the development of person-centred therapy. Characteristics of a Helping Relationship As is the case with all ideas, it’s not like Rogers’ fell from Mars; on the contrary: they are deeply rooted within the philosophy of existentialism which emerged from the ashes of the two great wars; especially the second one.I have been trying to suggest what happens in the warmth and understanding of a facilitating relationship with a therapist. It seems that gradually, painfully, the individual explores what is behind the masks he presents to the world, and even behind the masks with which he has been deceiving himself. Deeply and often vividly he experiences the various elements of himself which have been hidden within. Thus to an increasing degree, he becomes himself – not a façade of conformity to others, not a cynical denial of all feeling, nor a front of intellectual rationality, but a living, breathing, feeling, fluctuating process – in short, he becomes a person. Key Lessons from “On Becoming A Person” Carl Rogers (1951) viewed the child as having two basic needs: positive regard from other people and self-worth.