1. People shape themselves through freedom of choice and action
Carl Rogers
People shape themselves through freedom of choice and action
Self-Theory

2. Who is in charge? “Man is the architect of himself.” We choose
We are each unique, and have a distinct world view
We each have different potential
Valencia, Spain

3. What is the Self? The centre of experience
Your ongoing sense of who you are
How and why you react to the environment
How you choose to act upon the environment
Your values
The self is innate, or inborn and his what makes us human

4. We need self-regard, or self-esteem
It develops as we grow and become aware of our self
“Me” and “Not me”
At first it is formed by how we see that others see us
Then we start to value ourselves

5. Congruence
Congruence means a fit between two things – in this case, a fit between how we see ourselves and our experience
When something in our experience challenges our idea of our self, we can feel threatened and anxious
Read 499

6. Inflexible, incongruent, or inconsistency
Some people cannot accept success if they have a negative self-concept
Some people cannot accept failure (which goes against their idea of themselves) by denying it or blaming it on other people

7. Parents and other adults play a key role – a need for positive regard
Children learn self-esteem when their parents show them unconditional positive regard
Accepting the value of children regardless of their behaviour at the moment
Ongoing, consistent expression of caring, love and respect

8. Conditional Positive Regard
The granting or taking away of approval and love based on a child’s behaviour
When parents show conditional positive regard, children start to disown their selves
I will love you if you get good grades
I will love you if you…..
You were naughty – you are no longer my child

9. What happens?
Children develop conditions of worth – I am only worthwhile when I am being perfect, or behaving in a certain way
Only if I get good grades
Only if I don’t fight with my parent
Only if I clean my room and …..

10. Children become unhappy with themselves
Children are not able to self-actualize
They cannot develop potential
They become defensive (remember defense mechanisms?)
Denial or Repression
Aggression
They deny who they are, and become anxious

11. Our Feelings Get in touch with how we really feel
Accept those feelings as ours
Act upon them
Called Person-Centred Therapy

12. Striving toward happiness
We may never be entirely happy with where we are and who we are
But –
The good struggle toward happiness
Brings happiness

13. Important ideas The Self Self-regard, or Self-esteem Congruence
Unconditional Positive Regard
Conditional Positive Regard
Conditions of Worth
Person-centred Therapy
Strive toward happiness

14. Read and answer Page 500 –Fully Functioning Person
Define a fully functioning person in your own words.
Page Culture, Gender and the Self
What is the difference between North American/ European cultures in terms of how the self is defined?
What are gender schemas?
What qualities do men prize in themselves? Women?