Evaluation and Comparison – Carl Rogers’ Humanistic Theory 

Evaluation and Comparison – Carl Rogers’ Humanistic Theory 

Outline

Position Statement

• Today, Carl Rogers’ Humanistic Theory stands as one of the foundational theories of personality psychology, especially in clinical practice where self-actualization is a crucial goal. The theory’s importance is that it emphasizes the person’s point of view, which can still be helpful when explaining human behaviour, especially in environments that address mental health issues (Joseph, 2021).

Validity and Accuracy

• Rogers’ theory has been proven valid by years of research, especially in psychotherapy, emphasizing empathy and positive regard (Fierro, 2021). However, modern research is concerned with some shortcomings, stating that although the theory is popular, it requires more structured empirical evidence than other personality theories (Rumsey, 2020).

Cultural Perspectives

• Rogers’ assertion that self-actualization and personal development are the species’ universal tendencies and functions makes his theory easily portable to the global setup. However, it emanates from the Western world, which has been the source of much criticism today (Joseph, 2021). However, criticisms of the theory have been laid down by researchers stating that it is effective when practiced cross-culturally, provided the cultural context is considered. For instance, it has been ascertained that Rogers’ emphatic understanding and clients’ acceptance are global concepts that can be implemented anywhere in the world; nevertheless, the perception and manifestation of the two notions under evaluation will differ by culture (Maurer & Daukantaitė, 2020). Lumped to these critics, it can be argued that Rogers’ theory may be less suited for predicting specific observable human behaviours in non-Western societies or on special populations because the research’s principles enshrined its framework and assumed values of individualism. However, studies conducted on multicultural therapy assert that when the theory is adapted, it can adequately prescribe behavioural expectations and therapeutic benefits in different multicultural patients (Yao & Kabir, 2023).

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Rogers’ strengths include respecting people’s inherent goodness and focusing on achieving optimal psychological functioning. However, it has drawbacks, primarily the absence of experimental evidence and overproportioned optimism about people’s behaviour (Pilgrim, 2021).

Alternative Personality Theories

• When Rogers’ Humanistic Theory is compared to CBT and Psychoanalytic Theory, it is found that these competing theories hold solutions to some of the shortcomings linked to Rogers’ theory. For example, CBT directly contradicts Humanistic Theory, presenting a more scientifically based model based on observable behaviours and thoughts rather than focusing on the core self and feelings. This differs from Rogers’ emphasis on subjectivity, which is frowned upon due to its inability to be supported by facts and hypotheses. The psychoanalytic theory has a deterministic element in that it explores unconscious motivation and early childhood experiences that seem to drive human behaviour, in contrast to Rogers’ emphasis on free will and personal choice. As for the shortcomings of Humanistic Theory, the perceived objectivity of behaviour promulgated in the theory’s framework is explained either in terms of empirical evidence or other psychological constructs in CBT and Psychoanalytic Theory (Yao & Kabir, 2023).

Defend

• Despite criticisms, Rogers’ theory still holds pede because of its focus on personality and its application in counselling and therapeutic professions for which empathy and an individualistic world perspective are valued (Fierro, 2021).

References

Fierro, C. (2021). “A backdrop for psychotherapy”: Carl R. Rogers, psychological testing, and the psycho-educational clinic at Columbia University’s Teachers College (1924–1935). History of Psychology, 24(4), 323–349. https://doi.org/10.1037/hop0000201

Joseph, S. (2021). How humanistic is positive psychology? Lessons in positive psychology from Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach—It’s the social environment that must change. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(709789), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.709789

Maurer, M. M., & Daukantaitė, D. (2020). Revisiting the organismic valuing process theory of personal growth: A theoretical review of Rogers and its connection to positive psychology. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(1706). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01706

Pilgrim, D. (2021). Preventing mental disorder and promoting mental health: Some implications for understanding wellbeing. Journal of Critical Realism, 22(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2021.1966603

 

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Overview

This assignment will be your second milestone as you work on your final project, the theoretical analysis. In Module One, you selected a theory from the list of approved theories for the theoretical analysis. In Module Three, you completed an outline of the Background and Basics of the Theory section. For this milestone, you will complete an outline of the Evaluation and Comparison section. You do not need to complete a full draft of this section; only an outline will be accepted. Please do not submit a rough draft.

This rubric will help you develop your outline for this assignment. Be sure to refer to the Final Project Guidelines and Rubric document to review the full assignment that you will submit in Module Nine and to see how your outline will be fleshed out later in the course. This will help you understand what needs to be included in your outline. Use the information you have been collecting in your annotated bibliography to support you in this milestone.

Prompt

For this assignment, you will create an outline of the Evaluation and Comparison section of the final project. You will begin by writing a position statement. Then you will evaluate the validity and accuracy of your theory based on both primary and secondary research. You will evaluate the cultural application of your theory. You will consider the strengths and weaknesses of your theory with research-based evidence. Based on the weaknesses you discuss, you’ll cover two alternative theories that challenge the validity, weaknesses, or biases of your theory. Last, you will define the usefulness of your theory in contemporary settings against the alternative theories.

2. Milestone Two (Outline): Evaluation and Comparison
   1. Develop a position statement regarding your theory’s continued relevance in personality psychology Your statement must be supported with logical rationale.
   2. Evaluate the validity and accuracy of your Consider both primary and secondary resources and cite specific examples from the research to support your evaluation. Include both historical and current research in your evaluation and consider the differences where applicable.
   3. Determine the theory’s appropriateness for a range of cultural perspectives in its contemporary use. Be sure to cite relevant research. How well does this theory make testable predictions about human behavior across a range of cultural perspectives, including those of special populations? Give specific examples from the research where
   4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Support your claims with research-based evidence.
   5. Based on the weaknesses you discover, choose two alternative personality theories to discuss. Be sure to explain how these alternative theories challenge the validity, weaknesses, or biases of your theory.

6. Defend the usefulness of your theory in contemporary settings against the alternative theories and the challenges you just