2) Describe the organismic valuing process. Give an example.

The organismic valuing process is an innate “gut feeling” or intuitive guide within us that helps us evaluate our experiences in terms of whether they are promoting or hindering our actualizing tendency. Experiences that contribute to our growth and well-being are felt as satisfying and “good,” while those that inhibit our growth are felt as unpleasant or “bad.” This process is pre-conscious and based on our organism’s inherent wisdom.

Example: A young child might instinctively enjoy exploring and playing (activities that foster development and learning). This feeling of joy and satisfaction is their organismic valuing process signaling that these experiences are “good” for their growth. Conversely, if the child is forced to stay still and silent for long periods, they might feel restless and uncomfortable, indicating that this experience is hindering their natural tendency to explore and learn.

3) List and explain the characteristics of a fully functioning person.

Rogers described the fully functioning person as someone who is living in accordance with their actualizing tendency and experiencing a high degree of congruence. He outlined several key characteristics:

• Openness to Experience: They are receptive to a wide range of feelings and experiences, both positive and negative, without defensiveness. They don’t filter or distort information to fit preconceived notions.  

• Existential Living: They live fully in the present moment, without rigid preconceptions or dwelling on the past or future. They are spontaneous and adaptable.
• Trust in Their Organismic Valuing Process: They trust their inner feelings and instincts as a guide for making choices that are right for them. They don’t rely solely on external rules or others’ opinions.  

• A Sense of Freedom: They feel a sense of agency and choice in their lives. They believe they have the power to shape their own destiny and are not simply controlled by external forces.  

• Creativity: They are open to new ideas, experiences, and ways of being. They are adaptable, innovative, and seek to contribute to the world in meaningful ways.  

• A Basic Trustworthiness of Human Nature: While acknowledging the potential for negativity, they have a fundamental belief in the inherent goodness and potential for growth in themselves and others.
• A Continuously Growing Organism: They recognize that personal growth is an ongoing process, not a fixed state. They are constantly learning, evolving, and striving to become more fully themselves.  

4) Explain Rogers’ concept of congruence and incongruence.

Congruence exists when there is a high degree of alignment between a person’s ideal self (who they want to be), their real self (who they actually are), and their experience (what they feel and do). In a state of congruence, individuals are genuine, authentic, and aware of their true feelings and experiences. Their outward behavior reflects their inner self.  

Incongruence, on the other hand, occurs when there is a significant discrepancy between these three aspects of the self. For example, a person might have an ideal self that values assertiveness, but their real self might be passive and avoid conflict due to past experiences or learned behaviors. This creates internal tension and can lead to feelings of anxiety, defensiveness, and a distorted perception of reality. Incongruence hinders the actualizing tendency as individuals are not living in accordance with their true selves.

5) Explain what is meant by the terms of real self and ideal self.

• Real Self: This refers to the person’s actual self, encompassing their genuine feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and experiences at any given moment. It’s who they truly are, including their strengths and weaknesses, their authentic emotions, and their current state of being.
• Ideal Self: This represents the person’s concept of who they should be or who they want to be. It is often shaped by societal expectations, the perceived desires of significant others, and internalized values. The ideal self can be unrealistic or based on conditions of worth (beliefs that one is only worthy of love and acceptance if they meet certain criteria).  

The greater the gap between the real self and the ideal self, the greater the incongruence and the more difficulty the individual will have in actualizing their potential.  

6) Describe the confusion between self-actualization and actualization.

The terms self-actualization and actualization are often used interchangeably but have a subtle distinction within Rogers’ theory, though he used “actualizing tendency” more frequently as the overarching concept.

• Actualization (or Actualizing Tendency): This is the broader, innate drive of all living organisms to grow, develop, and fulfill their potential. It’s a fundamental life force.
• Self-Actualization: This is often seen as the specific manifestation of the actualizing tendency within the human realm, focusing on the development of the self-concept and the realization of one’s unique human potential. It involves becoming more autonomous, self-reliant, and fully functioning in one’s personal life and identity.

The confusion arises because the drive towards self-actualization is a key aspect of the overall actualizing tendency in humans. However, the actualizing tendency encompasses more than just the self; it includes the organism’s drive for survival, growth, and enhancement in all aspects of its being.  

7) What does it mean to be raised with unconditional positive regard?

Being raised with unconditional positive regard means that a person is loved, accepted, and valued for who they are, without any conditions or strings attached. Their worth is not dependent on meeting certain expectations, achieving specific goals, or behaving in particular ways. Parents or caregivers who offer unconditional positive regard communicate their love and acceptance regardless of the child’s mistakes, feelings, or choices. This fosters a sense of safety and allows the child to explore their true self without fear of judgment or rejection. It promotes congruence and facilitates the actualizing tendency.  

8) Why is Rogers’ theory called client-centered?

Rogers’ theory is called client-centered (originally “non-directive therapy”) because it places the client at the center of the therapeutic process. The therapist’s role is not to direct the client, interpret their unconscious, or provide solutions, but rather to create a supportive and facilitative environment in which the client can explore their own feelings, gain self-understanding, and move towards their own self-directed growth and healing. The client is seen as the expert on themselves, possessing the inner resources necessary for positive change. The therapist’s primary focus is on understanding the client’s subjective experience and fostering the conditions that will enable the client’s actualizing tendency to operate.  

9) List and explain the three major conditions necessary for therapeutic progress.

Rogers identified three core conditions that he believed were essential for creating a therapeutic climate conducive to client growth:  

• Congruence (Genuineness or Realness): The therapist must be authentic and genuine in their interactions with the client. They should be aware of their own feelings and be able to share them appropriately with the client. This means being honest and transparent, without presenting a facade or playing a role. Therapist congruence allows the client to trust the therapist and feel safe enough to be genuine themselves.  

• Unconditional Positive Regard (Acceptance and Caring): The therapist must offer the client non-judgmental acceptance and genuine caring, regardless of the client’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. This doesn’t mean the therapist approves of everything the client does, but it means they accept the client as a person of worth. This fosters a sense of safety and allows the client to explore difficult or painful aspects of themselves without fear of rejection.  

• Empathy (Accurate Empathic Understanding): The therapist must strive to understand the client’s subjective world from the client’s perspective. This involves actively listening, trying to feel what the client is feeling, and communicating that understanding back to the client. Accurate empathy helps the client feel heard, validated, and understood, which facilitates self-exploration and insight.  

10) What is a leader called in an encounter group?

In a Rogerian encounter group, the person facilitating the group is typically referred to as a facilitator or a group leader, rather than a traditional “leader.” The role of the facilitator is to create a safe and supportive environment that encourages open communication, self-exploration, and authentic interaction among group members. They avoid directing the group’s content or imposing their own interpretations, instead focusing on facilitating the process and helping members connect with their own experiences and with each other.