Carl Rogers
Carl Rogers was one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, known for his development of Client-Centered Therapy (also known as Person-Centered Therapy). Here's a detailed overview:
Early Life and Education
Professional Development
Theoretical Contributions
- **Client-Centered Therapy**: Rogers' approach focused on the client's self-healing capacities, the therapist's role being to provide a supportive environment rather than direct the therapy.
- Core Conditions: He identified three key conditions for a therapeutic relationship:
- Congruence: The therapist must be genuine and real.
- Unconditional Positive Regard: The client is accepted and valued without conditions.
- Empathetic Understanding: The therapist accurately understands the client's experience and feelings.
- **Self-Actualization**: Rogers believed that humans have an innate drive to realize their potential and achieve personal growth.
- **Personality Theory**: His theory posits that personality develops through the interaction of the self with the external world, emphasizing the role of the self-concept and the organismic valuing process.
Impact and Legacy
- His approach revolutionized psychotherapy, shifting from a directive to a non-directive, client-centered approach.
- His work has been influential in education, counseling, conflict resolution, and even organizational development.
- Received numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association's Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award in 1956.
- His book "On Becoming a Person" (1961) is considered a classic in the field.
Later Life
- After retiring from academia, Rogers continued to write, teach, and consult globally.
- He died on February 4, 1987, in La Jolla, California, USA.
External Links
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