Discuss the necessary and sufficient conditions for psychological growth, as postulated by Rogers.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A. Rogers believed that for therapeutic growth to take place, certain conditions are necessary, three of which are both necessary and sufficient.

B. For therapeutic growth to take place, an anxious or vulnerable person must come into contact with a congruent person who demonstrates empathy and unconditional positive regard for the first person. The first person must recognize the empathy and unconditional positive regard of the other person. In addition, the relationship must be of some duration.

C. Congruence exists when a person's organismic experiences are matched by an awareness of them and by an ability and willingness to express these feelings openly. Rogers also used the terms "genuine," "authentic," and "real" to express this concept.

D. Positive regard is the need to be liked, prized, loved, or accepted by another, and when that need is fulfilled with no strings attached, a person experiences unconditional positive regard. Rogers also used the terms "nonpossessive warmth" and "acceptance" to express unconditional positive regard.

E. Empathy exists when one person accurately senses the feelings of another and is able and willing to communicate these perceptions so that the second person feels that the other has entered into his or her world of feelings without prejudice or evaluation. Rogers also used the term "empathic listening" to express this concept.