Why did Carl Rogers think that people had problems?
There’s a fundamental difficulty in asking for an over-riding theory from someone who believed everyone should be treated as individuals. Basically though, it is to do with the concept of self, or more specifically the difference (incongruity) between ideal self and actual (or sometimes percieved) self; all people are esentially good – the nasty moster society creates or forces this incongruity. There is also lack of positive regard or unconditional love – all of this makes a person defensive and they either retreat or lash out. It’s an interesting theory, and it probably made psychology more ethical. However, it is by it’s very nature unscientific, doesn’t explain a lot of disorders, and is rather subjective, espcially in casting society as this terrible influence and believing people left on their own are intrinsically good or driven.
