Understanding the Psychology of Self-Concept and Incongruence: Insights from Carl Rogers

Why did Carl Rogers think that people had problems?

He thinks that all people are naturally good but when things happen and it creates a monster inside of them due to society, they feel unworthy and useless. His idea is that if you talk to them and try and relate then they will feel wanted and in return become much happier.

Carl Rogers believed that people had problems because they were not fully able to express themselves and their true emotions. He believed that when people are in a state of incongruence- meaning they are unable to reconcile inconsistent aspects of themselves- they experience psychological distress. Rogers suggested that problems arise from a discrepancy between one’s self-concept (how they view themselves) and their ideal self (how they want to be). When people face experiences that challenge their self-concept, such as criticism or failure, they repress their feelings and as a result, develop various problems. Therefore, Rogers thought that people had problems when they were unable to accept and express their true selves.

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