Theory
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Came to realize that one’s level of self insight was the single most
predictor of behavior over family environment and social
interactions.
Personality can only be understood from an individuals own
viewpoint based on his / her subjective experiences
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Clinical diagnoses have no other purpose that to make the therapist feel secure
As a result, the self (the sum total of the organism’s experiences)
became the core of his theory of personality (as well as his
counseling method)
Theory
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Self actualization is one of the master motives of self
Self actualization is part of a larger process called the actualization
tendency
 The built in motivation present in every life-form to develop its
potentials to the fullest extent possible
 Starts at birth.
 Encompasses all physiological and psychological needs and
development
Theory

Chose the word selfactualizing rather
than self-actualized to
signify that
development of self is
on going and always
in progress.
Theory
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Our personal experiences are evaluated by how well they serve the
actualization tendency through the process called the organismic
valuing process
 Those that hinder the self actualization process are assigned a
negative value
 Those that enhance actualization are evaluated as good and
desirable and given a positive value
This influences behavior because most of us attempt to avoid
negative things
It also allows us to be able to trust our feelings
Theory
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The development of the self is a major manifestation of the
actualizing tendency
Development of self involves the need for positive regard
 Universal and persistent need for acceptance, love and approval
from others (especially mother)
 At first this is external from others, but becomes internal
 Positive self regard: self esteem, self worth, and a positive
self image
Theory
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Ultimately, Roger’s felt everyone should be treated
with unconditional positive regard (which promotes
the actualization tendency)
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Regard that is granted freely and fully
Not dependent on behavior
Should also be able to offer this to others and to ourselves
Theory

Society interferes though by offering conditional positive
regard (introjection)
 Regard is given under certain conditions
 Can lead to conditional positive self-regard
 Both override the organismic valuing process
Theory
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The part of our being that is founded in the actualizing
tendency, follows organismic valuing, and needs and receives
positive regard and positive self regard is called the real self (I
am).
Under conditional regard and conditional self regard we
develop an ideal self (I should)
Theory
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The gap between these two is called incongruity.
The more incongruent, the more neurotic

Stop using our organismic valuing process
Qualities of a Fully Functioning
Person
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Openness to experience
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Fully aware and accepting of one’s experiences in the world,
including one’s feelings
No experience is distorted or denied
Existential living
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Capacity to experience life fully and richly, in the here and now
as opposed to the past and future
Qualities of a Fully Functioning
Person
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Organismic trusting
 Allow ourselves to be guided by the organismic valuing process
and trust ourselves to do what feels right and comes natural.
 Trust their own reactions rather than be guided by the opinions
of others or by a social code
 Assumes one is in contact with the actualizing tendency
Experiential freedom
 We acknowledge our feeling of freedom in taking responsibility
for our choices
Qualities of a Fully Functioning
Person
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Creativity
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We contribute to the actualization of others through creativity in
arts, sciences, social concern, etc. (generativity)
Also do not require predictability
Live in harmony with others
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Practice reciprocal unconditional positive regard
Emerging Persons
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Open and honest
Indifferent to material comforts and rewards
Caring
Deep distrust of cognitively based science and a technology that uses
science to exploit and harm nature and people
Trust in their own experience and have a profound distrust of external
authority
 Why
are you in psychology?
 How will you survive in
psychology?
Survival skills
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Be open to knowing yourself.
Set good boundaries.
Develop a support system.
Develop coping skills.