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• Humanistic psychology focuses on the full person and aims to support individuals in realizing their full potential and achieving their optimal state of well-being
• American psychologist Carl Rogers was known for developing person-centered psychotherapy and was one of the pioneers of humanistic psychology
• According to Carl Rogers, self is the inner personality influenced by experience throughout life
• Carl Rogers' take on humanistic psychology is that a person feels more valuable when their ideal self and current self are more alike
• Self-awareness is being able to experience one's own individuality
• Having self-awareness is an important quality as it allows a person to practice self-control, work productively, and evaluate themselves to achieve their goals
• Self-knowledge, according to Rogers, is the understanding and awareness individuals have about themselves, including their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences
• Self-knowledge provides many benefits such as increased ability to recognize and understand our feelings, improved relationships with others, greater satisfaction with life, increased well-being, and greater life-acceptance
• Self-knowledge serves as a cornerstone for personal growth and well-being, offering a multitude of benefits beyond merely enriching our lives
• In Rogers' view, self-esteem and self-worth develop through interactions with others, especially significant individuals such as parents, caregivers, and peers
• Self-esteem is the evaluation individuals make of themselves, while self-worth encompasses the intrinsic belief in one's own value and deservingness as an individual
• Self-esteem is shaped by interactions with others
• Self-esteem is shaped by external factors like feedback from others and comparisons with peers
• Self-esteem fluctuates depending on whether one receives praise or criticism
• A notable disparity between one's ideal self and perceived identity can lead to a decrease in self-esteem
• Self-worth involves maintaining belief in your inherent value regardless of external influences
• Self-worth originates from within oneself rather than being dependent on others' viewpoints
• Self-worth remains relatively constant and resilient even amidst changing circumstances
• Self-perception encompasses how individuals view themselves and construct their self-concept through internal reflections, external observations, and feedback, crucially influencing self-esteem and identity formation
• Self-concept refers to our idea of who we are, including our feelings and thoughts about ourselves physically, personally, and socially
• Self-concept develops during early childhood and adolescence and continues to form and change as we learn more about ourselves
• Self-image is the individual's subjective perception of themselves, including their characteristics, qualities, and capabilities
• Rogers emphasized that self-image is not fixed but rather dynamic and subject to change over time
• The ideal self is the part of a person's self-concept that represents their aspirations, goals, and values
• Ideal self:

  • Part of a person's self-concept consisting of their desires, hopes, and wishes
  • Considered a motivator within a person's self-concept
• Real self vs Ideal self:

  • Real self indicates who someone is in real life, based on life experiences and how they perceive others view them
  • Ideal self is what someone wants to become in their life, an idealized vision of who they think and say they are
• Factors affecting your Ideal self:

  • Societal expectations
  • Family plays a crucial role in shaping one's Ideal self
  • Importance of Ideal self:
  • Strive toward excellence
  • Determine your direction
  • Set challenging goals
• Congruence:

  • Occurs when one's perceptions of their real and ideal selves are nearly identical
  • Promotes a sense of self-worth and a more healthy, productive life
  • High congruence results in a healthier and more productive life with a higher sense of self-worth
• Incongruence:

  • If the ideal self is unrealistic or there's a significant disparity between the real and ideal self, it can lead to incongruence
  • Resulting in dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and even mental health issues
  • Life tends to be more joyful and positive when the ideal self and actual self are in alignment (congruent)
  • Conversely, when they diverge (incongruent), life often becomes sorrowful and arduous
  • Self-concept is not always aligned with reality
  • This incongruence can negatively affect self-esteem
• Humanistic psychology perspective on the self:

  • Focuses on personal experiences, personal growth, and self-actualization
  • Implies that humans are capable of determining their own future or destinies
  • Humans are shaped by their personal experiences, perceptions, and interactions with others
  • Importance of self-acceptance, self-awareness, and fulfilling one's potential of becoming a whole functioning person