Read the passage below and answer the questions
Rishabh often feels dissatisfied with himself, despite receiving appreciation from his family and friends. According to Carl Rogers, such dissatisfaction arises when there is an incongruence between an ideal and real self of an individual. Rogers proposed that individuals have an inherent tendency towards growth and fulfillment known as self-actualization. However, this growth can be hindered when an individual receives conditional positive regard and when acceptance depends on certain fixed expectations. If this continues, individuals like Rishabh may deny or distort their lived experiences. This in turn can harm their self-concept and psychological well-being.
Rogers’s Client-centred therapy focusses on creating:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Unconditional positive regard
Option (1) Greater confidence — Incorrect. A client may gain confidence as the self-concept improves, but that is a result; what the therapy sets out to create is the accepting atmosphere itself.
Option (2) Behavioral modification — Incorrect. Changing faulty behaviour through techniques such as reinforcement and aversive conditioning is the work of behaviour therapy, not of Rogers’s non-directive therapy.
Option (3) Unconditional positive regard — Correct. Rogers held that an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard must be created to enhance people’s self-concept, and his client-centred therapy basically attempts to create this condition. The therapist shows the same positive feelings even if the client is rude or confides ‘wrong’ things.
Option (4) Unconscious motives and needs — Incorrect. Bringing unconscious material into awareness through free association and dream analysis belongs to psychodynamic therapy.
NCERT (2025-26): “Humanistic Approach … Rogers views personality development as a continuous process. It involves learning to evaluate oneself and mastering the process of self-actualisation. He recognises the role of social influences in the development of self-concept. When social conditions are positive, the self-concept and self-esteem are high. In contrast, when the conditions are negative, the self-concept and self-esteem are low. People with high self-concept and self-esteem are generally flexible and open to new experiences, so that they can continue to grow and self-actualise. This situation warrants that an atmosphere of unconditional positive regard must be created in order to ensure enhancement of people’s self-concept. The client-centred therapy that Rogers developed basically attempts to create this condition.…” “Therapeutic Relationship … The therapist conveys by her/his words and behaviours that s/he is not judging the client and will continue to show the same positive feelings towards the client even if the client is rude or confides all the ‘wrong’ things that s/he may have done or thought about. This is the unconditional positive regard which the therapist has for the client.…” |