Feist−Feist: Theories of
Personality, Seventh
EditionIII. Humanistic/Existential
Theories- Rogers:
Person−Centered Theory
© The McGraw−Hill^319
Companies, 2009Person-Centered Theory
Although Rogers’s concept of humanity remained basically unchanged from the
early 1940s until his death in 1987, his therapy and theory underwent several
changes in name. During the early years, his approach was known as “nondirective,”
an unfortunate term that remained associated with his name for far too long. Later,
his approach was variously termed “client-centered,” “person-centered,” “student-
centered,” “group-centered,” and “person to person.” We use the label client-centered
in reference to Rogers’s therapy and the more inclusive term person-centeredto
refer to Rogerian personality theory.
In Chapter 1, we said that clearly formulated theories often are stated in an if-
thenframework. Of all the theories in this book, Rogers’s person-centered theory
comes closest to meeting this standard. An example of an if-then construction is: If
certain conditions exist, thena process will occur; ifthis process occurs, thencertain
outcomes can be expected. A more specific example is found in therapy: Ifthe ther-
apist is congruent and communicates unconditional positive regard and accurate em-
pathy to the client, thentherapeutic change will occur; iftherapeutic change occurs,
thenthe client will experience more self-acceptance, greater trust of self, and so on.
(We discuss congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy more fully in
the section titled Psychotherapy.)
Basic Assumptions
What are the basic assumptions of person-centered theory? Rogers postulated two
broad assumptions—the formative tendency and the actualizing tendency.
Formative Tendency
Rogers (1978, 1980) believed that there is a tendency for all matter, both organic and
inorganic, to evolve from simpler to more complex forms. For the entire universe, a
creative process, rather than a disintegrative one, is in operation. Rogers called this
process the formative tendencyand pointed to many examples from nature. For in-
stance, complex galaxies of stars form from a less well-organized mass; crystals
such as snowflakes emerge from formless vapor; complex organisms develop from
single cells; and human consciousness evolves from a primitive unconsciousness to
a highly organized awareness.
Actualizing Tendency
An interrelated and more pertinent assumption is the actualizing tendency,or the
tendency within all humans (and other animals and plants) to move toward comple-
tion or fulfillment of potentials (Rogers, 1959, 1980). This tendency is the only mo-
tive people possess. The need to satisfy one’s hunger drive, to express deep emotions
when they are felt, and to accept one’s self are all examples of the single motive of
actualization. Because each person operates as one complete organism, actualization
involves the whole person—physiological and intellectual, rational and emotional,
conscious and unconscious.
Chapter 11 Rogers: Person-Centered Theory 313