Question

State what do you understand by Roger's self-theory.

Answer 1

Carl Rogers, a leading humanistic psychologist, developed the Self Theory or Person-Centered Theory, which emphasizes the role of the self-concept in personality development.

According to Rogers, the self is the central part of an individual's personality. It includes the real self (who the person actually is) and the ideal self (who the person wants to be). A person is psychologically healthy when there is congruence (a match) between these two selves. Incongruence, or mismatch between the real and ideal self, can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and psychological distress.

Rogers believed that every person has an innate drive toward growth and fulfillment, called the actualizing tendency. For this potential to be realized, individuals need an environment that provides:

• Genuineness (being open and honest),
• Acceptance (unconditional positive regard), and
• Empathy (understanding from others).

In summary, Rogers' Self Theory focuses on how individuals view themselves and strive for personal growth. A supportive and non-judgmental environment helps people develop a positive self-concept and become fully functioning individuals.