Carl Rogers By: Monika Quinn, Lauren Cappelloni, Jess Gaines, and Rachael Potter
Background leader in Humanist psychology movement America s most influential counselor and psychotherapist; one of most important clinical psychologists originally wanted to become a protestant minister, but later on
Background Information (cont d) I felt that questions as to the meaning of life and...of the improvement of life for individuals would probably always interest me. But I could not work in a field where I would be required to believe in some specified religious doctrine.
Approach client-centered therapy--acknowledged client s ability to make important self-discoveries and decisions nondirective approach thought of patients as subjects, not objects called patients clients because he believed they were not sick like other medical patients who have no control over their treatment focused not just on the correction of psychological problems but also on overall psychological health, wellness, creativity, self-actualization, and what
Approach (cont d) relied on patient to determine the direction of therapy; thought that through a relationship with an accepting, empathetic therapist, individuals have the ability to resolve their own problems thought the role of the therapist is to help client realize his or her own ability to make important choices
Theories focused on free will and the concept of self the core of man s nature is essentially positive --people have within themselves the resources necessary for selfdiscovery and personal
Empathy the therapist s willingness and sensitive ability to understand the client s thoughts, feelings, and struggles from the client s point of view...to adopt his frame of reference if a client is treated with empathy, they develop the ability to understand themselves therapist s goal is to communicate with empathy and clarify client s feelings
Jane and Ricky In the scene where Jane tells Ricky that she wants him to kill her father, Ricky listens and allows her to express her feelings without the fear of being judged by him Ricky s willingness to listen empathetically to Jane helps her to work through her problems Ricky is able to empathize with Jane s situation because his relationships with his parents mimic hers
Genuineness being open with one s own feelings being self-disclosing
Angela and Lester Throughout the movie, Angela only expresses her sexual interests in Lester, though she truly desires a parental figure At the end, when she is honest with him and drops the promiscuous facade, he hugs her and treats her like a daughter--by being genuine in her relationship with Lester, Angela gets what she wants
Acceptance accept the clients as they are; individuals possessing both positive and negative qualities (unconditional positive regard)
Ricky and Col. Col. Fitts does not accept Ricky s drug problem and expresses his anger through abuse Fitts When Col. Fitts thinks that Ricky is gay, he tells him that he would rather Ricky be dead than accept that fact Col. Fitts inability to accept his son jeopardizes their relationship
Unconditional Positive Regard attitude of total acceptance unconditional positive regard allows individuals to develop in a manner which encourages high self-esteem and self-actualization without unconditional praise, individuals develop by other s suggestions and lose their sense of identity
Jane and Ricky accept each other unconditionally--are able to be transparent with one another symbolically, the scene where Jane exposes herself to Ricky in the window represents the couple s ability to be open and honest with each other their ability to accept each other unconditionally is the base of their healthy relationship
Self-Actualization tendency to be driven to do things that coincide with one s conscious beliefs, values, and the idea of oneself therapist must demonstrate genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard to encourage self-actualization
Lester Burnham Throughout the movie, Lester tries to put on a facade to impress Angela and to escape the painful reality of his life (works out, takes drugs, etc.) At the end of the movie, when he is looking at the picture of his family, he realizes how his rejection of his actual self has jeopardized his relationship with his wife and daughter
Self-Concept our thoughts and feelings about ourselves a set of traits that the client sees as components of their identity develops through interactions with others and involves awareness of being and functioning
Carolyn Burnham Thinks of herself as being inferior--gives herself pep-talks and mentally abuses herself I will sell this house today!
Ideal Self vs. Actual Self ideal self : self you project to the world actual self : true identity
Angela Hayes Angela possesses an unhealthy personality according to Rogers actual self: feelings of normalcy and ugliness; nothing worse than being ordinary ideal self: promiscuous; modelesque tension between Angela s ideal self and her actual self suggest feelings of inferiority and low selfesteem
Conditions of Worth conditional positive regard from people in one s life If an experience is in conjunction with the conditions placed upon the individual, one s awareness and perception of the experience is intensified; if not, then the experience is more distorted and apt to be denied This causes a difference between the actual experience and what is perceived by the self; this is the root of some forms of discrimination
Jane and Carolyn I watched you very closely and you didn t mess up once! Carolyn s acceptance of Jane depends on her performance--she does not accept Jane unconditionally and is only satisfied with her when she does not fail Carolyn treats Jane as if she expects her to fail
Healthy Personality Rogers would define a healthy personality as one where the self-concept is positive (all thoughts and feelings about ourselves are positive)--when this is the case, one tends to view the world in a positive manner A negative personality is when one feels as though he or she has fallen short of the ideal self--when this is the case, one feels dissatisfied and unhappy A balance between the ideal self and the actual self
At the beginning, Lester sees himself as a loser and a failure He is not given unconditional positive regard from anyone in his life Lester s self-concept is negative Because of his negative self-concept and lack of unconditional positive regard, Lester s personality is hostile and impulsive Character Analysis Lester
Character Analysis Lester picks up smoking marijuana because it makes him happy and not able to feel the pain in his relationships Makes friends with Ricky because Ricky can relate to him and accept him turns to seducing Angela and getting in shape in order to feel better about himself when reaping the rewards