Novice Counselor's blog

According to the Rogerian perspective, self-esteem is a personal judgment of worthiness. It would follow then that low self-esteem is a result of personal judgment of unworthiness. Rogerian theory suggests that people who have a consistent self-view across situations are psychologically healthier than people whose self-view is variable across situations (Pervin, Cervone, and Oliver, 2005).. Thus, people with high self-esteem would tend to have a consistent self-view.

Additionally, Rogers’ view is that individuals behave in ways which are consistent with their self-concept. Thus, an individual with low self-esteem would behave and interpret events so as to be congruent with their self-view. For example, such a person would minimize the positive things that happen to them, such as getting a good grade, by explaining it away as luck, or that the professor was a fool. Rogers also hypothesized that psychopathology resulted when there was a discrepancy between the actual self, the view of self that one possessed at a particular time, and the ideal self, or the self that one would like to possess (Pervin, Cervone, and Oliver, 2005).. Discrepancy between the real self and the ideal self lead to feelings of dejection and low self-esteem.

In Rogers’ view, self-esteem and self-concept is also affected by the degree of acceptance and positive regard received in daily social interaction. Positive, supportive social relationships increase psychological well-being and self-esteem (Pervin, Cervone, and Oliver, 2005)..

To assist people with overcoming low self-esteem, the Rogerian theory suggests unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, genuineness, and congruence. These are elements of client-centered therapy. The therapist does not guide the flow of events in the session, but merely summarizes, or reflects back to the client an understanding of what the client is saying. This gives the client a sense of being understood by the therapist (Pervin, Cervone, and Oliver, 2005).
Pervin, L., Cervone, D. and Oliver, J. (2005, 9th Edition). Theories of personality. Danvers, MA: Capella University.

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