Carl Ransom Rogers Theory

Carl Ransom Rogers (1902-1987) was known for his person-centered approach to counseling (humanistic). He was the fourth of six children. His parents were strict Protestants. They emphasized moral behavior, the suppression of displays of emotion and the virtue of hard work. His parents were against dancing, playing cards, attending movies, smoking, drinking and the showing of any sexual interest, (Fiest, J. et al 2013). His upbringing and six months Christian conference in China influenced his adult life.
The underlying philosophy of Rogers’s person-centered theory was that humans were essentially good (rational beings) and has an innate drive to accomplish their potential. They can make they own decisions; knows what is right for them; choose their own behaviour and work through their own problems and a therapist’s role is simply to facilitate this development. His theory is based on his working experience with clients. Rogers had two broad assumptions for his theory—the formative tendency and the actualizing tendency. The

Awareness can either be ignored or denied, be perceived in distorted forms or be admitted to the self-structure. He went on to emphasize that individuals must make contact with others, a process that begins in childhood, where positive regard is given. Through such one becomes a person and develops a positive self-regard, (Fiest, J. et al 2013). Positive regard can be unconditional (being loved for who you are) or conditional (we behave in ways others think are correct). With the former, the person would be unafraid to try new things or make mistakes, despite consequences. On the other hand, someone who always seeks approval from others would have experienced conditional positive regard (Rogers for example— his autocratic upbringing), (Schultz, D. Schultz, S. E., 1998). People create their own self-growth given the appropriate circumstances, especially unconditional positive