Carl Rogers: Humanistic Approach

During the 20th century, Carl Rogers came to be known as one of the most influential American psychologists to date and one of the founders of the humanistic approach. He is best known as the founder of “client-centered” or “non-directive” therapy and who stressed the importance of acceptance, genuineness, and empathy in fostering human growth. Originally studying theology in Vermont, Rogers eventually turned to clinical and educational psychology at the Teachers’ College of Columbia University. He came about during the Great Depression, when the scale of suffering demanded psychological attention. By then, Rogers was working at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and it was the work he did with these underprivileged kids that prompted the development of his client-centered approach. In the years following he wrote several books supporting that, including The Clinical Treatment of the Problem Child, Counseling and Psychotherapy and more.
Cark Rogers is ranked as the 6th most eminent psychologist as identified by the American Psychology Association, and a factor was his groundbreaking work in developing humanistic & client centered therapy which he insisted should be subject to scientific inquiry and clinical trial. Like many humanists, he saw self-concept as the frame upon which personality is developed. He conjectured that …show more content…
Both psychologists categorized self-actualization as the driving force of human needs, and in pursuing the humanistic approach they fell into the fundamental categories of believing that humans are inherently good, the notion of a positive self-concept, and an emphasis on self-reflection. They focused on the ways that “healthy” people strived for self-determination, human potential, and seeing the world through the individual’s rather than the researcher’s