reply to

Question

by Denia Beaver - Wednesday, 9 October 2024, 7:20 PM
Number of replies: 0
The concept of a fully functioning person was introduced by Carl Rogers and is considered one more cornerstone in the theory of humanistic psychology. It stresses the state of being, which corresponds to the highest level of psychological health and personal fulfillment. Herein, a response to such a concept would address the questions posited in a detailed manner.

Agreement: I thoroughly agree with Rogers' emphasis on openness to experience. Being open to experiences, sans defensive twisting of the material will enable him to change and evolve. It opens up ways for learning and self-development.

Disagreement: I don't have much disagreement regarding the topic; however, I find the need to strike a balance between openness and critical analysis of experiences in order to ward off any undesirable elements.

Existential Living

Agreement: I do agree that living in the moment and experiencing each moment as fully as possible is essential to a well-lived life. This again corresponds to the principle of mindfulness, which is an intervention widely accepted for its efficacy in psychology.

Disagreement: The problem, however, is in maintaining the application of this very principle since society itself and responsibilities entail much times considered foresightedness.

Organismic Trusting

Agreement: Authenticity is basically all about trusting one's instinct and inner feeling. It helps in engaging with a decision which is right for the self.

Disagreement: Sometimes internal trust without external feedback can also be made to go wrong. For this, it's important that self-trust goes through a balance of advice received from other people.

Experiential Freedom

Agreement: Self-actualization basically relies on feeling free to choose and taking responsibility for all the events happening with the self.

Disagreement: Absolute freedom is an idealistic concept; realistic limitations and accountability curtail the freedom. Therefore, there needs to be a balance realisticly.

Creativity

Agreement: Creativity solves problems and is a means of self-expression. This is an expression of a fully functioning person's capability of changing and becoming innovative.

Disagreement: Though creativity is important, not everyone is creative in terms of the conventional artistic expression of forms. Other forms of creativity need to be acknowledged.

Comparison to Maslow and other Humanists

Rogers vs. Maslow

While both Rogers and Maslow are considered humanistic psychologists, the subtlety of differences follows thus:

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow's concept is based on a hierarchy toward self-actualization. He postulates that lower-order needs, which are physiological, safety, love/belonging, and esteem, first have to be satisfied for the self-actualization point to be reached. According to Rogers, while there is some overlap, more emphasis is put on the qualitative aspects of a fully functioning person rather than hierarchal development.

• Self-Actualization: While for Maslow, self-actualization is a pinnacle of psychological development, for Rogers, it represents the Fully Functioning Person. However, Rogers thinks becoming is a process and, therefore, self-actualization is not a state to be but rather a process or journey in itself.

Rogers and Other Humanists

• Existentialists: With the exception of the basic emphasis upon personal experience and the immediate, most existential thinkers place far more emphasis upon inherent anxieties in existence than does Rogers, who tends to view man as approaching his full potential under conditions of complete acceptance.

• Logotherapy by Frankl: The emphasis that Viktor Frankl places on seeking meaning is in contrast to Rogers' emphasis on the potential of the person and experience. Sharing both the views, the importance of personal growth is underlined by Frankl; he tends, however, to focus more on meaning as a means of achieving psychological health.

Conclusion

The fully functioning person concept devised by Rogers encompasses an optimistic and holistic perspective on human potential. It focuses on personal growth, authenticity, and creativity, thus being fully congruent with the basic tenets of humanistic psychology. Yet, even while aspects of the practical application of the theory may be considered fraught with difficulty, the overall framework remains quite informative in respect of the realization of psychological health and fulfillment. A comparison with Maslow and other humanists brings out similarities as well as unique contributions that each theorist contributes to an understanding of human nature and human potentials.

Answer 1

Subject: Re: Fully Functioning Person Concept

Hi Denia,

Thank you for your detailed exploration of Carl Rogers' concept of the fully functioning person and its implications within humanistic psychology. I appreciate how you articulated both your agreements and disagreements with Rogers’ principles, as it creates a more nuanced understanding of the theory.

I resonate with your point about the need for a balance between openness and critical analysis. It's true that while embracing new experiences is essential for growth, it’s equally important to evaluate those experiences to form a comprehensive understanding of ourselves and the world around us. This balance can maximize our personal development and safeguard us from potential pitfalls.

Your observations on existential living are particularly astute. Maintaining a mindful presence amid life's responsibilities can certainly be challenging. Your mention of mindfulness aligns well with contemporary psychological practices, emphasizing its relevance in our fast-paced society.

Additionally, I agree with your thoughts on organismic trusting. The interplay between internal and external feedback is crucial for making well-informed decisions. It’s a reminder that while we must trust our instincts, seeking counsel from others can enrich our perspectives and enhance our self-trust.

I found your comparison between Rogers and Maslow insightful, especially regarding the differences in their views on self-actualization. It’s fascinating to see how these theories complement and diverge from one another in understanding human potential.

Finally, your conclusion aptly summarizes the optimistic nature of Rogers' perspective, highlighting the path toward authenticity and creativity as integral in achieving psychological health. This holistic view is invaluable in therapy and personal development.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts! I look forward to further discussions around this topic.

Best regards,

[Your Name]