Feist−Feist: Theories of
Personality, Seventh
EditionIII. Humanistic/Existential
Theories- Rogers:
Person−Centered Theory
© The McGraw−Hill^343
Companies, 2009important to them. Then, at subsequent time points scattered over the course of a
semester, the researchers checked in with participants to evaluate to what extent en-
gagement in the activities participants listed at Time 1 led to greater feelings of self-
realization (i.e., opportunities to develop one’s best potentials) and to what extent the
activities fostered intrinsic motivation. The results of this longitudinal study indi-
cated that, just as Carl Rogers would have predicted, the more the activities people
engage in reflect self-realization, the more likely those activities are to be interest-
ing, self-expressive, and lead to an experience of “flow.” Flow is the experience of
being fully immersed and engaged in an experience to the point of losing track of
time and one’s sense of self (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).
Carl Rogers clearly had keen insight into the human condition, and his ideas
continue to be supported by the most modern research. If you engage in experiences
that are part of your ideal self, you will be led to pursuits that are more engaging, en-
riching, interesting, and rewarding (Schwartz & Waterman, 2006). But what if you
don’t know what specific pursuits you will find the most rewarding? Fortunately, as
Rogers predicted and as Sheldon and colleagues (2003) found in their study of col-
lege students, people have a built-in system (the OVP) that will direct them toward
fulfilling pursuits. All you have to do is listen to your gut.
Critique of Rogers
How well does Rogerian theory satisfy the six criteria of a useful theory? First, does
it generate researchand suggest testable hypotheses? Although Rogerian theory has
produced much research in the realm of psychotherapy and classroom learning (see
Rogers, 1983), it has been only moderately productive outside these two areas and
thus receives only an average rating on its ability to spark research activity within the
general field of personality.
Second, we rate Rogerian theory high on falsification.Rogers was one of only
a few theorists who spelled out his theory in an if-then framework, and such a para-
digm lends itself to either confirmation or disconfirmation. His precise language fa-
cilitated research at the University of Chicago and later at the University of Wiscon-
sin that exposed his theory of therapy to falsification. Unfortunately, since Rogers’s
death, many humanistically oriented followers have failed to put his more general
theory to test.
Third, does person-centered theory organize knowledge into a meaningful
framework? Although much of the research generated by the theory has been limited
to interpersonal relations, Rogerian theory nevertheless can be extended to a rela-
tively wide range of human personality. Rogers’s interests went beyond the consult-
ing room and included group dynamics, classroom learning, social problems, and in-
ternational relations. Therefore, we rate person-centered theory high on its ability to
explain what is currently known about human behavior.
Fourth, how well does person-centered theory serve as a guide for the solution
of practical problems?For the psychotherapist, the answer is unequivocal. To bring
about personality change, the therapist must possess congruence and be able to
demonstrate empathic understanding and unconditional positive regard for the client.
Rogers suggested that these three conditions are both necessary and sufficient to af-
fect growth in any interpersonal relationship, including those outside of therapy.
Chapter 11 Rogers: Person-Centered Theory 337