Personality and Personal Progress
Personality has always been a source of fascination in psychology. Many theories have been proposed to explain what personality is and why we behave the way we do. Abraham Maslow’s assumptions were shared by Carl Rogers.
However, he asserted that the occurrence of personal progress necessitates three factors. For starters, they require an environment that encourages openness and self-expression. Second, they must be accepted, that is, they must be treated with unqualified positive esteem. Rogers asserted that good esteem is critical; feeling appreciated, respected, and tenderly treated. Positive respect entails evaluations and judgments made by others with whom we contact. Thirdly, they should interact with people who are empathetic; listen to them and understand. According to Roger, these relationships enhance the development of healthy personalities.
Self-Concept and Its Influence
The idea of self-concept is at the core of Rogers’ personality. It refers to the systematic, consistent set of perceptions and beliefs regarding oneself. Also, it is our innate personality and can be likened to the soul. The experiences one encounters in life and their interpretations have a significant influence on the self. Our childhood experiences and evaluation by others are the primary influencers of our self-concept. According to Roger, we want to feel, experience, and behave in ways which are consistent with our self-image and which reflect what we would like to be like, our ideal-self. The closer our self-image and ideal-self are to each other, the more consistent we are and the higher our sense of self-worth.
